Passenger truck plunges off cliff, kills 17 in Peru's Amazon

People stand at the site of a truck crash in Yarowilca, Peru, in this June 7, 2015 handout picture. A truck carrying teachers, students and their families fell into an abyss in an Andean area of Peru, northeast of Lima, killing at least 17 people, mostly school children, while 54 others were injured, according to local authorities. [Photo/Agencies]

LIMA - At least 17 people were killed and 32 injured after a passenger truck plunged off a 150-meter-high cliff in Peru's Amazonian region, authorities reported Monday.

The tragic accident occurred Sunday in north-central Huanuco department after the vehicle veered out of its lane and plunged off near the town of Cahuah, the Highway Police said.

More than 50 people were on board at the time, including dozens of students from the Cesar Vallejo public school who had attended a school parade.

The injured, some in serious condition, were taken to area hospitals.

Regional authorities said they were looking into why the truck was being used to transport people.