LIMA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people died and around 35 others were injured Thursday morning when an interprovincial bus overturned in Peru's southern Cusco region, said local media.

The state news agency Andina reported that the accident occurred at around 2 a.m. local time near the town of Alto Marquiri in the Ocoruro district of the Espinar province.

It said that the bus had departed from Arequipa city toward Cusco's Sicuani town, and preliminary reports from the highway police indicate that the bus driver lost control of the vehicle when taking a curve.

The injured were taken to the Espinar Hospital, with at least five of them in serious condition.

The accident disrupted traffic in both directions on the road that connects Arequipa with Cusco, causing heavy traffic congestion since the start of the day. ■