A serious head-on train collision near the world-famous Machu Picchu site in Peru has involved a number of British nationals, leaving at least one person dead and dozens injured.
Crash Details and Emergency Response
The fatal incident occurred on Tuesday when two trains carrying tourists to and from the ancient Inca citadel collided. The conductor of one train was killed, while authorities confirmed that approximately 40 other people sustained injuries.
Passenger footage shared with local media depicted a scene of significant damage, with injured individuals lying beside the tracks. The locomotives were shown heavily damaged and stationary, with carriages featuring smashed windows and dented sides, stranded on a remote section of track flanked by forest and rock.
Emergency services faced considerable logistical challenges reaching the crash site, located in a rugged area of the Andes without direct road access. A dozen ambulances and medical teams were deployed to assist the casualties.
Foreign Office Confirms British Involvement
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has issued a statement confirming its response. "We are supporting a number of British nationals involved in a train collision near Machu Picchu, Peru, and are in contact with local authorities," a spokesperson said. The exact number of British citizens affected has not been disclosed.
Local police captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez announced that all train services on the vital line connecting Machu Picchu with the city of Cuzco have been suspended indefinitely while investigations begin.
Impact on a Major Tourist Destination
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Peruvian authorities. The accident has disrupted travel to one of the world's most iconic heritage sites. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Machu Picchu is a cornerstone of Peruvian tourism, attracting an average of 4,500 visitors daily, the majority of whom are foreign nationals.
Annually, around 1.5 million people visit the site, with the vast majority relying on the train and bus network to reach the complex, which is perched high in the Andes mountains. This incident highlights the risks associated with tourism infrastructure in remote and challenging geographical locations.
