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30 killed in Peru election day accidents

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AFP Lima
At least 30 people were killed in traffic accidents across Peru, which was holding local elections across the country.

Early yesterday, a bus overturned in the country's north in a crash that killed 18 and injured another 11, in the city of Bolognesi, after the driver lost control of the vehicle, said prosecutor Alexander Jumpo, in charge of the investigation.

Meanwhile, another five people were killed in central Huanuco when a truck, which was transporting people to vote in yesterday's elections, crashed in a remote central province, police said in local media.

Earlier in the day, seven policemen were killed in the northern city of Trujillo as they left to patrol and provide security ahead of the vote.
 

Voting is mandatory in Peru, and those who do not comply face fines, officials said.

Road accidents are common across the country, in part because of lax traffic enforcement but also because of the country's challenging mountain terrain, with its many sharp curves and steep precipices.

More than 2,500 people were killed in road accidents in 2013, according to official statistics.

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First Published: Oct 06 2014 | 3:35 AM IST

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