At least seven people were killed, including a four-year-old girl, and 39 others injured Friday when a bus crashed against a hill in southern Peru, the Highway Police (Polcar) said.

The accident occurred on the South Pan-American Highway, near the zone called ‘La Quebrada del Toro’, in the southern province of Camana, Xinhua reported.

According to Polcar, the accident happened when the bus driver tried to avoid crashing against another bus and hit the roadside hill instead.

The bus departed from Arequipa, the capital of the same name region, and was heading for Caraveli province.

Polcar said the darkness on the highway, the recklessness of the bus driver and possible speeding are the main causes of the accident.

The victims are yet to be identified. The injured people have been taken to hospitals in the region