Tragic Train Collision Near Machu Picchu Claims One Life and Injures Dozens

Wed Dec 31 2025 09:02:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A head-on train collision near the famed tourist site of Machu Picchu has resulted in one fatality and at least 40 injuries, raising concerns about safety and transport issues in the region.

In a tragic incident near Machu Picchu, a train crash led to the death of the driver and left over 40 passengers injured. Emergency services are working tirelessly to evacuate tourists stranded at the site as investigations into the cause of the collision unfold. Local authorities express deep concern over transport regulations amidst ongoing disputes regarding accessibility to the UNESCO heritage site.

A train driver has died and at least 40 people have been injured in a head-on rail collision near Peru's most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu.

Two trains collided on the single track leading to the ancient Inca town on Tuesday, according to a statement from the local government.

It said that 20 ambulances had attended the scene and that injured people had been transferred to medical facilities in the nearby city of Cusco.

The US embassy in Peru reported that US citizens were among those injured in the crash, though local police have yet to confirm the identities of the affected individuals.

Local media outlet Peru21 highlights that 'hundreds' of tourists remain at the scene awaiting evacuation, which has been 'hampered' by difficult terrain around the crash site.

At least 20 people among the injured are in a serious condition, according to a health official.

The collision occurred on the track connecting Ollantaytambo Station and Aguas Calientes, typically a 90-minute journey.

The trains involved were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail respectively, with PeruRail expressing their condolences and commitment to providing immediate aid.

While the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, this tragic event raises serious questions regarding the safety of rail transport in the area.

This crash comes amid ongoing disputes concerning transport provisions to the UNESCO world heritage site, with local communities voicing dissatisfaction with the bidding process for transport services.

The Incan city of Machu Picchu, constructed in the 15th century, is recognized as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, with visitor access to the site controlled due to concerns about overtourism.