Head-on Peru tourist train crash near Machu Picchu kills 1, injures dozens including U.S. citizens
A head-on train collision near Peru's Machu Picchu killed one person — identified by Cuzco police as a railroad employee — and injured dozens, including U.S. citizens, the U.S. Embassy confirmed. Authorities suspended all rail traffic between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes; the embassy provided an assistance contact (iPeru: +51 944-492-314) and advised travelers to contact their rail providers to reschedule or seek reimbursement.
📌 Key Facts
- A train collision occurred near the world-famous Machu Picchu tourist destination, affecting the tourist rail line between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
- All rail traffic between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes has been suspended following the crash.
- Peruvian authorities say one person was killed; the deceased was a railroad employee, according to Cuzco police captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez.
- The U.S. Embassy in Peru confirmed that U.S. citizens are among those injured in the collision.
- The U.S. Embassy provided an assistance contact (iPeru at +51 944-492-314) and travelers with upcoming rail plans are being advised to contact their rail service providers to reschedule or seek reimbursement.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2018, a collision between PeruRail and Inca Rail trains on the Machu Picchu rail line injured at least 35 people.
Trains From Rival Companies Collide Near Machu Picchu — Newsweek
The rail line from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu is single-track due to geographic constraints in the Urubamba River gorge, which permits only single-track routes and creates natural bottlenecks.
Alternatives When Trains to Machu Picchu Are Fully Booked — machupicchu.org
Machu Picchu welcomed over 1.17 million tourists between January and September 2025, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Machu Picchu Soars: Over 1.17 Million Tourists in Nine Months Solidifying Its Position as Peru’s Global Icon — Travel and Tour World
The maximum daily tourist allowance for Machu Picchu was expanded from 4,044 in 2022 to 5,600 in 2025.
Machu Picchu’s ‘Wonder of the World’ Status Is at Risk — Outside Online
📰 Sources (2)
- U.S. Embassy in Peru confirms there are U.S. citizens among those injured in the collision.
- Peruvian authorities say the person killed was a railroad employee, according to Cuzco police captain Jhonathan Castillo Gonzalez.
- All rail traffic between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes has been suspended following the crash.
- The U.S. Embassy provided a specific assistance contact number (iPeru at +51 944-492-314) for affected travelers.
- Travelers with upcoming rail plans are being advised to contact their rail service providers to reschedule or seek reimbursement.