Car falls into sinkhole on Peru's Costanera highway after landslides; driver escapes

Heavy rains in Peru have wreaked havoc on the Costanera highway, a vital route connecting Tacna and Moquegua. A private vehicle plunged into a sinkhole that opened up at kilometer 25.5 near Tacna, a stark illustration of the damage caused by recent landslides.

The driver of the car narrowly escaped the disaster, managing to exit the vehicle on his own before it was swallowed by mud. The incident highlights the severe impact of the intense rainfall on the region's infrastructure.

This was not the only incident along the affected route. Further down the highway, at kilometer 68+500, a police patrol car was caught in a mudslide triggered by the activation of the Quebrada de Burros. The vehicle was buried in mud, though fortunately, no injuries were reported.

In response to the ongoing emergency, the Regional Government of Tacna has deployed heavy machinery to address critical points along the highway, focusing on areas heavily impacted by mud and rocks. Meanwhile, the Regional Government of Moquegua has implemented a precautionary closure of both the North and South Costanera highways. Authorities are urging the public to suspend or reschedule travel to Tacna, Arequipa, or Moquegua due to the risks posed by flash floods and poor visibility, emphasizing the importance of heeding all safety signage and personnel instructions.