Two trains collided near Machu Picchu, 35 injured
CUSCO, PERU: Two trains collided on Tuesday morning near the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu leaving at least 35 people injured, two of them seriously, the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) said.
According to the National Police, the collision took place at about 10.20am on 88km of the railroad to Machu Picchu — between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) — when an Inca Rail train was hit by another unit from PeruRail railway company.
According to one of the passengers, one of the trains had stopped at the 82nd km of the railroad because of a protest by domestic tourists, who blocked the railway track.
“One of Inca Rail trains left Ollantaytambo at about 6.40am and stopped 40 minutes later because of the protest. We stopped for an hour, then the protest was cleared, the train continued its route, and five minutes later we felt a strong impact on the back. It was a PeruRail train that hit us,” the passenger Valeria Lozana said. “Two Inca Rail seats flew through the air,” the witness said.
According to the police, a group of 30 domestic tourists created a human blockage as they were not able to purchase their tickets to Machu Picchu Town, thus preventing the Inca Rail train from passing through.
According to the police, the crash left two people seriously wounded, others mildly injured, and property damage.
Those severely injured were taken to the nearest healthcare center before their evacuation to Cusco city.
At least 14 train services have been suspended after the collision, said PeruRail. The railway company is waiting for the police and Public Ministry to release the official statement on the incident.
Likewise, PeruRail says railway services will not resume until the damaged trains are towed from the collision area. On the other hand, it called on national and foreign tourists to be understanding and affirmed legal aspects will be finalised in a few hours.