Train Collision Near Machu Picchu Kills Driver, Injures Dozens of Tourists

A head-on collision between two trains near Machu Picchu, Peru, has killed the train driver and injured at least 40 people, including some US citizens. Rescue efforts have been slowed by difficult terrain, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded. The trains, operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail, collided on the single track between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. At least 20 of the injured are in serious condition. The cause of the crash remains unclear amid ongoing disputes over transport services to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A train driver has tragically died, and at least 40 individuals have been injured following a head-on collision between two trains near Machu Picchu, the most popular tourist destination in Peru. The accident occurred on Tuesday on the single railway track that leads to the ancient Inca town, according to a statement released by local government authorities.
Emergency services responded rapidly to the scene, deploying 20 ambulances to attend to the victims. Those injured in the collision were promptly transported to medical facilities in the nearby city of Cusco for further treatment. The United States embassy in Peru confirmed that some US citizens were among the injured, although police have yet to confirm the identities of all individuals involved in the incident.
Local media outlet Peru21 reported that "hundreds" of tourists remain stranded at the crash site, awaiting evacuation. The difficult terrain surrounding the area has hampered rescue efforts, complicating the process of moving visitors to safety. According to a health official speaking to Reuters news agency, at least 20 of the injured are in serious condition, requiring urgent medical attention.
The collision took place on the railway connecting Ollantaytambo Station with Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. This journey usually takes around 90 minutes, providing tourists with a vital link to one of Peru’s most iconic landmarks. The trains involved in the accident were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail, two of the primary transportation providers to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
PeruRail issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident, emphasizing that its staff had immediately provided first aid to the train driver, the conductor, and all passengers involved. At this stage, the precise cause of the collision remains unclear as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash.
The accident occurs amid ongoing disputes between transportation providers serving Machu Picchu. Local communities have voiced concerns over what they describe as an insufficiently transparent bidding process for contracts, highlighting tensions between commercial operators and the surrounding populations. The trains and buses that transport tourists to the ancient site are known for steep ticket prices and represent a highly lucrative business due to the limited accessibility of the location.
Machu Picchu, built in the Peruvian Andes during the 15th century, is recognized as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Visitors can reach the site by taking a combination of trains and buses or by hiking the Inca Trail with a registered tour operator. To preserve the integrity of the site, officials implemented a daily cap on visitors in 2011. Despite these measures, concerns over overtourism continue to challenge the management and conservation of the historic location.
The collision has raised urgent questions about safety measures on the single-track railway and the broader management of tourist transport to Machu Picchu. Authorities are coordinating with emergency services and transportation operators to ensure that stranded visitors are safely evacuated while continuing to investigate the causes of the accident. The incident underscores both the logistical challenges of accessing the remote site and the critical need for improved safety protocols to protect travelers visiting one of the world’s most treasured archaeological sites.