The Foreign Office has stated that it is offering assistance to multiple British citizens involved in a deadly train collision near Machu Picchu in Peru. The incident, which occurred on December 30, involved two trains carrying tourists to and from the historic Incan citadel. The collision resulted in one fatality, a railway worker, and left over 30 individuals injured.
Following the crash, the railway service connecting Machu Picchu to Cuzco was temporarily halted. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that British travelers were among those affected and are currently liaising with local authorities.
The collision took place between a train returning from Machu Picchu and another train heading towards the site, near Qoriwayrachina. The company managing the railway reported the incident, but the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Videos from local media depicted train carriages with damaged windows and sides along the railway tracks. Machu Picchu, a site constructed by the Incas in the 15th century, attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. Despite the increase in visitors over the past decade, the region’s tourism sector has faced challenges due to political unrest and disagreements over site management, leading to occasional protests disrupting access.
In addition to train travel, Machu Picchu can be reached on foot from Ollantaytambo, a journey that typically takes four days.