A tragic collision between two tourist trains near Peru’s iconic Machu Picchu archaeological site resulted in one fatality and approximately 30 injuries on Tuesday. The incident occurred near Qoriwayrachina, another historical site along the rail route connecting the ancient Inca citadel with the city of Cuzco.
According to Captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez of the Cuzco police department, the deceased was identified as a railroad employee. The railway operator immediately suspended all services along the critical transport corridor following the accident, which involved a train departing from Machu Picchu colliding with another train heading toward the UNESCO World Heritage site in the early afternoon.
Visual evidence from local media outlets showed substantial damage to the trains, with multiple cars exhibiting shattered windows and severely dented exteriors. The damaged trains remained stranded along the narrow rail passage, which winds through dense vegetation alongside imposing rock formations.
Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca emperor sanctuary renowned for its precisely engineered stone architecture, attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. The vast majority access the site via railway to the gateway town of Aguas Calientes, though adventurous travelers can undertake a four-day trek from Ollantaytambo.
Despite a 25% increase in visitation over the past decade, tourism to the region has experienced disruptions due to political instability and ongoing management disputes. Protest activities have periodically resulted in blockades along the vital rail infrastructure serving the archaeological marvel.
Authorities have not yet determined the precise cause of the collision, with investigations ongoing. The incident highlights the challenges of managing transportation infrastructure in Peru’s popular but geographically constrained tourist destinations.