Deadly train crash near Machu Picchu leaves 1 dead, 40 injured

Authorities in Peru reported a fatal head-on collision involving two trains on the railway line servicing Machu Picchu. The incident resulted in one fatality and at least 40 injuries, with the deceased identified as one of the conductors. The closest city, Cusco, confirmed this information. The U.S. Embassy in Peru shared that American citizens were among the wounded, though the exact number and severity of their injuries were not disclosed. Footage shared by passengers captured the aftermath, depicting injured individuals near the tracks alongside two damaged locomotives. Prompt response efforts were made in the remote Andean region where the accident occurred, as ambulances and medical teams were dispatched to the area without direct road access. Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting an average of 4,500 visitors daily, predominantly from overseas, is reached by train and bus journeys through the Andes mountains. The collision involved trains operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail on the Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu line, though the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Built in the 15th century under Inca ruler Pachacutec, Machu Picchu stands as an architectural and engineering marvel at an altitude of approximately 8,200 feet.