The Foreign Office has confirmed that British nationals were among those involved in a serious train collision near the world-famous Machu Picchu site in Peru.
Details of the Machu Picchu Rail Incident
The accident occurred on Tuesday, when two tourist trains travelling to and from the ancient Incan citadel collided. The location of the crash was near Qoriwayrachina, which is itself an archaeological site. Local authorities reported that the collision resulted in the death of a railway worker and left more than 30 passengers injured.
In an official statement, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting a number of British nationals involved in a train collision near Machu Picchu, Peru, and are in contact with the local authorities." The exact number of Britons affected has not been specified.
Emergency Response and Service Suspension
Emergency services rushed to the scene following the crash. Footage from local media showed damaged carriages with broken windows and dented sides, stranded on tracks flanked by forest and a rock face. Injured passengers were seen being loaded into ambulances for treatment.
Captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez of the Cuzco police department confirmed that all train services on the line connecting Cuzco to Machu Picchu were suspended immediately after the accident. The cause of the collision is currently under investigation, with authorities yet to release further details.
Machu Picchu's Significance and Visitor Numbers
Machu Picchu, built by the Incas in the 15th century as a sanctuary for emperors, is Peru's premier tourist destination. It attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors annually, with the vast majority arriving by rail. Visitor numbers to the UNESCO World Heritage site have surged by around 25% over the last decade. The site is renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone construction and iconic structures like the Temple of the Sun.
This incident underscores the risks associated with the vital transport infrastructure serving one of the world's most popular archaeological wonders, impacting international travellers including those from the United Kingdom.
