A tragic head-on collision between two trains on the popular route to Peru's ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu has resulted in one fatality and dozens of injuries, casting a shadow over the famed tourist destination.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The accident occurred on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in the early afternoon near the area of Qoriwayrachina, which is itself an archaeological site. According to the railway operator, a train departing from Machu Picchu collided with another train that was headed towards the UNESCO World Heritage site. The crash involved trains on the line connecting Machu Picchu with the town of Ollantaytambo.
Captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez of the Cuzco police department confirmed to The Associated Press that the person killed was a railroad worker. He stated that approximately 30 passengers were injured in the crash. In response to the accident, rail services along the critical line linking Machu Picchu with the city of Cuzco have been suspended indefinitely.
Aftermath and Response
Local media footage from the scene depicted a distressing sight: train cars with shattered windows and dented exteriors, stranded on tracks flanked by dense forest and large rock formations. Emergency responders were seen providing medical attention to injured passengers in the nearby community of Pampacahua.
As of the latest reports, authorities have not released specific details regarding the cause of the collision. An investigation is undoubtedly underway to determine the factors that led to this serious incident on a vital transportation artery for one of South America's top tourist attractions.
Machu Picchu's Tourism Context
This accident strikes at the heart of Peru's tourism industry. Machu Picchu receives roughly 1.5 million visitors annually, with the vast majority arriving by train to the gateway town of Aguas Calientes. The iconic site, built in the 15th century as a sanctuary for Inca emperors and renowned for its masterful stonework, has seen visitor numbers surge by about 25% over the last decade.
However, tourism to the region has faced recent challenges. Political instability and disputes over the management of the historic site have sometimes led to protests, including blockades of the very railway line affected by this crash. For the adventurous, an alternative four-day trek from Ollantaytambo offers a path to Machu Picchu, but the train remains the primary access for most.
This tragic event raises immediate concerns for traveler safety and logistics, while also highlighting the pressures on infrastructure at some of the world's most cherished and heavily visited cultural landmarks.
