A road accident in northern Nicaragua has left 16 people dead, including 13 Venezuelans believed to be migrants, police said Thursday.

The accident, which left another 47 people injured, occurred late Wednesday at a precarious crossroads on the Pan-American Highway in the department of Esteli.

"Sixteen people died, amongst them five women and 11 men – 13 Venezuelan nationals, a Nicaraguan and two yet to be identified," national police said in a statement, describing the accident as a "total disaster."