At least 40 people were killed and 22 others injured when a bus fell off a 100-meter-deep cliff Thursday in Espinar, Peru, police and firemen said.

The accident happened on the Altoandiana highway when it was traveling between Arequipa and Santo Tomas in Chumbivilcas, Espinar province in Cusco department.

Lieutenant of the Firemen of Chumbivilcas, Edilberto Tinquipa said that strong rains, mechanical failures and speed excess produced the accident.

Tinquipa also said that 12 of the injured were taken to hospitals in Velille, and the other 10 to hospitals in Espinar.