Seven Canadian nationals were among numerous individuals injured following a head-on collision between two trains in Peru on Tuesday, as confirmed by Global Affairs Canada. The incident occurred on the railway that leads to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The collision resulted in the death of a train operator, with 40 others sustaining injuries. The trains involved were operated by Inca Rail S.A. and PeruRail S.A., primarily serving tourists visiting the historic site. A health official informed Reuters that approximately 20 individuals were in critical condition.
Among the injured are foreign tourists, including the Canadians. Global Affairs Canada expressed condolences to all those affected by the accident and mentioned that Canadian officials are offering consular support and liaising with local authorities while respecting privacy considerations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed deep sadness over the crash and stated that Global Affairs officials are actively assisting those impacted and maintaining communication with local authorities. Anand emphasized Canada’s solidarity with the people of Peru and extended sympathies to the affected individuals.
Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the collision. Images shared on social media shortly after the incident depicted the severely damaged locomotives facing each other on the tracks, with shattered glass scattered around and injured individuals receiving treatment along the tracks.
Machu Picchu, situated in the Peruvian Andes, stands as the country’s top tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors annually from various parts of the world.