At least 35 killed in Peruvian bus crash

At least 35 people have died after a bus skidded off a road in Peru today and burst into flames.

The accident happened before dawn in the coastal town of Chincha, when the bus left the road, crashed into a petrol station and caught fire.

Police said the driver, his two assistants and four passengers survived unhurt and helped rescue 18 others, who were subsequently taken to hospital with burns.

A spokesman said the dead included four children and added that the death toll could rise as rescuers continue to search the wreckage.

A spark from the bus engine apparently caused the blaze.