Two trains collided on the single-track line to Machu Picchu around midday, killing the conductor of one locomotive and injuring dozens. Emergency crews dispatched about a dozen ambulances to the remote site, where roughly 20 people were reported in relatively serious condition. Authorities said there was no immediate report of damage to Machu Picchu itself, and investigators have not yet determined the cause.
Deadly Train Collision Near Machu Picchu Kills Conductor, Dozens Injured
People evacuate a train carriage after two trains collided head-on on the railway leading to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, in Peru, on December 30, 2025 [Reuters]
Two passenger trains collided around midday on the single-track rail line that connects the town of Ollantaytambo with the world-famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu, killing the conductor of one locomotive and injuring dozens of people.
What Happened
Rail operator Ferrocarril Transandino said a PeruRail service struck a locomotive operated by Inca Rail near the remote Andean stretch of track that serves visitors traveling to Machu Picchu. The prosecutor's office in Cusco — the city closest to the Inca citadel — confirmed the deceased was the conductor of one of the trains.
Casualties and Response
A health official reported that roughly 20 people were in relatively serious condition. Photos and videos shared on social media shortly after the collision showed badly damaged locomotives facing each other on the track, shattered glass scattered nearby, and injured passengers receiving treatment beside the rails. About a dozen ambulances and medical teams were dispatched to the scene, which is in a remote area without direct road access.
Impact on Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 — receives an average of roughly 4,500 visitors per day, many of them international tourists, according to Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. Most visitors reach the high-Andean site by taking a train followed by a short bus ride. Authorities have not reported any immediate damage to the archaeological site itself.
Cause Unclear: Investigations are underway to determine how the collision occurred; officials had not released a definitive cause at the time of reporting.
Officials from emergency services, rail operators, and prosecutors in Cusco are coordinating the response and investigation. Updates are expected as authorities continue to assess casualties and the circumstances leading to the crash.
Help us improve.
