A bus plunged into a 650ft ravine in southern Peru, killing at least 37 people and injuring a dozen others.

The vehicle had around 60 passengers on board when it crashed into a pickup truck while navigating a bend, causing the bus to veer off the road and tumble down the banks of the Ocona River in the Arequipa region.

Reports said the bus, operated by the Llamosas company, was travelling from the town of Chala in Caraveli province towards the city of Arequipa on Wednesday.

Both drivers reportedly survived the collision, which occurred at kilometre 780 of the Pan-American Highway South.

Thirty-six people were pronounced dead at the scene, while another victim died later in the hospital.

Local media reported that 25 people - including three minors, one of whom is an eight-month-old baby - are receiving hospital treatment for their injuries.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the crash, and the pickup truck driver has been taken into custody.