Machu Picchu rail crash kills driver, dozens injured on single-track line
Machu Picchu rail crash kills driver, dozens injured on single-track line
A head-on collision between two trains on the single-track route to Machu Picchu leaves one driver dead and at least 40 injured, triggering a major emergency response.
Two trains collided head-on on the single-track line leading to Machu Picchu, killing the driver and injuring dozens, authorities said. The crash halted rail service on the route to the iconic Inca site and prompted a major emergency response.
Local authorities said around 20 ambulances arrived at the scene, and the injured were taken to medical facilities in Cusco. The U.S. embassy in Peru said U.S. citizens were among the injured, though officials have not yet confirmed identities.
Investigators are weighing how the head-on collision occurred on the shared track between two tourist trains operated by Inca Rail S.A. and PeruRail S.A. Officials said both operators are cooperating with the probe and reviewing signaling, scheduling, and track maintenance.
In the wake of the crash, regional authorities and travel officials are weighing safety measures on popular tourist routes. Machu Picchu remains a magnet for visitors, but this incident underscores the risks of rail travel in rugged Andean terrain and the need for robust safety protocols.
