A collision between two trains on the iconic railway leading to the city of Machu Picchu, in the southern Andean region of Cusco, left one person dead and at least thirty injured on Tuesday, according to the Peruvian National Police (PNP).
The accident, which also caused serious damage to the locomotives of both trains, occurred in a difficult-to-access area and has mobilized all emergency services in the region.
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According to information released by the official news agency Andina, based on the police report, the deceased has been identified as Roberto Cárdenas Loay, who, according to local media, was the engineer of one of the trains involved in the accident.
Meanwhile, the injured are being evacuated to nearby clinics and hospitals, and the PNP has already deployed specialized units to begin the corresponding investigations into the causes of the accident.
La Confederación General de Trabajadores del Perú (CGTP) denunció los despidos masivos y las violaciones de derechos laborales en el país. Señaló que las medidas adoptadas por empresas y autoridades afectan la estabilidad de los trabajadores y vulneran garantías reconocidas en la… pic.twitter.com/GrrLElCM87
— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 19, 2025
The railway concessionaire, Ferrocarril Transandino (FTSA), reported that the collision occurred around 1:20 p.m. local time (6:20 p.m. GMT) at kilometer 94.4, in the area known as Pampacahua.
This section, with its difficult access where the tracks run parallel to the Vilcanota River, has a single track used by trains in both directions, a factor presumed to be key in the dynamics of the accident, in addition to other responsibilities that are currently being investigated.
The first images from the scene revealed the severity of the impact between trains belonging to the only two companies operating the route: Perú Rail and Inca Rail, both under the FTSA concession. It was confirmed that at least one of the trains was carrying tourists, both Peruvian and foreign, including Brazilian citizens. One was traveling from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, while the other was covering the reverse route.
🔴 El Ministerio de Salud informa lo siguiente: pic.twitter.com/HHXsDTm1SE
— Ministerio de Salud (@Minsa_Peru) December 31, 2025
In response to the emergency, the Peruvian Ministry of Health activated its emergency protocol, dispatching twelve ambulances to the scene to provide specialized support to the injured. Peru Rail reported that, after providing first aid to the train driver, the train conductor, and the passengers, the injured were evacuated in two railcars. “We deeply regret what happened,” the company stated in a press release.
The accident has brought the safety conditions on one of the country’s most important railway lines for tourism under scrutiny.
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