Train Collision Near Machu Picchu Results in Fatality and Multiple Injuries
A head-on collision between two trains near Machu Picchu occurred at about 13:20 local time, resulting in the death of a train driver and injuries to at least 40 people. The trains, operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail, were traveling on the Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes line, a journey that typically lasts around 90 minutes.
Passengers described chaotic scenes at the crash site, with visible injuries among those involved. Staff and bystanders provided assistance to the injured. An additional train arrived carrying medical personnel to help. Injured passengers were initially taken to a nearby village for immediate care and later accommodated in a local hotel.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting British nationals involved in the incident, while the US embassy in Peru reported that US citizens were also among the injured. PeruRail issued a statement expressing regret over the accident, noting that staff provided first aid to the driver, conductor, and passengers. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
This incident occurs amid an ongoing dispute among Machu Picchu transport providers concerning bidding processes, ticket prices, and limited accessibility for tourists.
