At least 14 people have been killed and five others injured after a minibus veered off a mountain road in the Peruvian Andes, authorities have confirmed. Rescue crews were deployed to the scene, using ropes to retrieve victims from a steep and difficult hillside terrain.

The accident occurred when the minibus lost control on a curve and plunged off the road. The Andes, the world's longest continental mountain range running along South America's western edge, are home to some of Peru's most challenging road conditions, with narrow, winding routes traversing high-altitude terrain that can be treacherous for vehicles.

Rescue operations in such environments are rarely straightforward. The steep gradient of the hillside required emergency teams to use ropes to access and recover those involved in the crash, underscoring the logistical difficulties that often accompany road accidents in remote Andean regions.

Road safety remains a persistent concern in Peru, where mountain highways connect isolated communities but frequently expose travellers to significant risk. Factors such as sharp curves, unpredictable weather, and road conditions that vary widely by season contribute to a pattern of accidents along these routes. Overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles can compound the danger on descents where a momentary loss of control can have fatal consequences.

The incident serves as a reminder of the broader challenge facing Andean nations in balancing connectivity with safety on mountain infrastructure. Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the driver losing control or the identities of those aboard the vehicle. Investigations are expected to continue as rescue operations conclude.