One person has lost their life and at least 40 others have been injured following a head-on collision between two trains near Machu Picchu, Peru’s most famous tourist attraction.
According to local authorities, the accident occurred on Tuesday on a single-track railway connecting the stations of Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the town closest to the ancient Inca citadel. Around 20 ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and the injured were transported for medical treatment to hospitals in the nearby city of Cusco.
A health official confirmed that at least 20 of the injured are in serious condition. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Peru stated that American citizens are among the injured, although their identities have not yet been confirmed by police.
Local media report that hundreds of tourists were left stranded at the crash site, while evacuation efforts have been hampered by the rugged terrain and limited access to the area.
The two trains involved in the collision were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail. PeruRail expressed regret over the incident, stating that its staff immediately provided first aid to passengers and personnel involved. The cause of the accident remains unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between transport operators serving Machu Picchu, linked to disputes over tendering procedures and high transportation fees, which represent a major source of revenue due to the limited access to the site.
Built in the 15th century in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Since 2011, authorities have imposed daily limits on visitor numbers, although concerns over overtourism persist.
