13 dead in Peru highway crash

13 people have been killed in a crash on a highway in Peru's Andean region, according to a radio announcement.

The crash involving a vehicle belonging to the Interprovincial Civa transport company took place at 6:30am, local time, near Vinchos as the bus traveled from the capital Lima to Ayachucho, local authorities said in a statement.

Authorities had initially reported 14 injured but police colonel Jhonny Valderrama later told Canal N television there were at least 18.

Seven ambulances were dispatched to the site as well as around two dozen health personnel, Ayacucho district authorities said, adding that the injured had been taken to three separate hospitals for treatment.

Health personnel remain at the site, authorities said.

The incident marks the latest fatal incident in a place where accidents are common.