New York, November 6, 2012–The Committee to Protect Journalists is saddened by the deaths of four Peruvian journalists who perished Monday in a car accident in the central highlands Junín region while on assignment, according to news reports.
“We mourn the deaths of María Gilda Gómez Sánchez, Javier Ascue Sarmiento, Lorena Chauca Amado and Marisol Rojas,” said Carlos Lauría, CPJ’s senior program coordinator for the Americas. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families and colleagues.”
María Gilda Gómez Sánchez, president of the Chanchamayo chapter of the National Association of Journalists (ANP), Javier Ascue Sarmiento, a veteran journalist formerly with El Comercio, Lorena Chauca Amado, a reporter with the daily Publimetro, and Marisol Rojas were driving towards a jungle area on the Tarma – Chanchamayo road when their vehicle fell over 200 meters into the riverbed below. Rojas’ professional affiliation was unclear. News reports said the accident may have been caused by a mud and rock avalanche brought on by a heavy storm.