Dozens of tourists were killed when a bus plunged off a notorious road known as the ‘curve of death’.
At least 23 people were killed when the tour bus left the Pan American Highway in Piura, Peru, and plummeted more than 160 ft into a ravine.
According to local reports more than 60 passengers were aboard at the time of the incident.
Tour company Aguila Dorada revealed it was transporting people from Lima to Tumbes when the vehicle suddenly lost control at around 3am, according to El Regional Piura.
Shock photos taken at the scene showed scores of bodies surrounding the downed bus on the floor of the ravine.
Survivors were taken to nearby hospitals as investigators began determining the cause of the tragedy.
The Pan American highway stretches from Alaska to Argentina at about 15,000 miles.
Earlier this week hundreds of tourists were stranded near Machu Picchu after Peru's government closed its most famous site as ongoing protests have killed nearly 50 people.
At least 400 people, including 300 foreigners, are stranded at the foot of the 15th-century Inca citadel, one of the seven wonders of the world, and are pleading to be freed.
The news comes as demonstrations continue to spread through the country, with new clashes reported in Cusco, the gateway to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.
The country has been plunged into chaos for nearly six weeks since the ousting of its former president Pedro Castillo; leaving 46 people dead in the uprisings.
He was impeached and arrested in December for trying to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.
Cultural authorities in Cusco said in a statement that "in view of the current social situation in which our region and the country are immersed, the closure of the Inca trail network and Machu Picchu has been ordered, as of 21 January and until further notice".
The Ministry of Culture also said in a statement: "The closure of the Inca trails network and the Machu Picchu citadel has been ordered due to the social situation and to preserve the safety of visitors."
A Chilean tourist told Agence France Presse that all tourists are queuing up to register and they are unsure what is going to happen.
Some of the worst violence came on Monday when 17 people were killed in the city of Juliaca, near Lake Titicaca and protestors also burned a police officer to death.
On Friday security forces in the capital Lima unleashed tear gas to repel demonstrators throwing glass bottles and stones, as fires burned in the streets.
