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At least 37 people were killed after a bus swerved into oncoming traffic in Peru, leading to a multi-vehicle collision, authorities say, AFP reported.

Health Minister Anibal Velasquez, who was on his way to the crash site near the northern city of Huarmey, said the accident also left 70 people injured.

Authorities initially gave a death toll of 22, but Mr Velasquez told local radio the number had increased sharply as rescue workers managed to access the wreckage.

Six people who were badly wounded were taken by helicopter to hospital in the capital Lima, about 300 kilometres south.

The local hospital in Huarmey was overwhelmed by the number of injured, the fire department said in a statement.

Rescuers rushed to adapt other health centres in the area to accommodate the overflow, it said.