16 people were killed when a bus carrying miners crashed into the abyss in Peru

A bus in the Peruvian Andes fell off a cliff Friday while transporting miners at the Las Bambas copper mine in MMG Ltd, killing 16 people and injuring two others.

The accident occurred early in the morning when the vehicle was making a hairpin turn through Cotabambas province in the Aprimac region of Peru, where the mine is located, the company said in a statement.

MMG said the victims of the accident included workers from contract companies Manpower, Geotec, MB Renting, AKD Drilling, Lavalin, M&RC, JRM and JP Natlian.

The authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and have expressed their willingness to cooperate.

The huge Las Bambas mine is one of the largest in Peru, located between the province of Cotabambas and neighboring areas. Peru is the second largest copper producer in the world.

In Peru, it is not uncommon for buses to fall off a cliff. The Andes run across the country, and the rugged road overlooks the towering cliffs.

Peruvian local radio station RPP reported earlier that the bus fell about 200m (656ft).