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Collision on Machu Picchu rail line kills driver, injures dozens
A head-on crash between two trains on Tuesday on the single-track approach to Peru's iconic Inca citadel has killed the driver of one train and injured at least 40 passengers, authorities confirmed.
Rescue effort hampered by rugged terrain
Twenty ambulances reached the remote site, ferrying the wounded to hospitals in Cusco, the regional capital. Health officials told Reuters that 20 of the injured are in serious condition.
Local outlet Peru21 reported that hundreds of tourists remain stranded at the scene, with steep mountain slopes and narrow valleys slowing evacuation.
U.S. citizens among the injured
The U.S. embassy in Lima said American nationals were hurt, although Peruvian police have not yet released identities of those involved.
Location and operators
The accident occurred on the 90-minute stretch between Ollantaytambo Station and Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. PeruRail and Inca Rail, the two companies involved, both operate services on the line.
"We deeply regret what has happened. Our team immediately provided first aid to the driver, conductor, and passengers."
PeruRail statement
Cause still under investigation
Officials have not determined why the trains collided. The incident follows months of tension between transport providers and local communities over the bidding process for routes serving the UNESCO-listed site.
Tourism tensions and preservation concerns
Machu Picchu, built in the 15th century and crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, draws visitors via a mix of trains and buses or the famed Inca Trail. Despite a daily visitor cap introduced in 2011, overtourism continues to raise alarms about the site's preservation.
Ticket prices for the limited-access routes remain high, making the route a lucrative but contentious business.
