British nationals involved in horror Machu Picchu crash | World | News

The Foreign Office has confirmed that it is providing support to several British nationals involved in a fatal train crash near Machu Picchu in Peru.

On Tuesday, December 30, two trains carrying tourists to the Inca castle collided, killing one person and injuring more than 30 people. The deceased was a railway worker. mirror reports.

After the fall of the railway, services along the line connecting Machu Picchu to the city of Cuzco were stopped.

A statement from the UK Foreign Office confirmed the involvement of British travellers.

“We are supporting a number of British citizens involved in the train crash near Machu Picchu, Peru, and are in contact with local authorities,” the statement said.

According to the company that operates the railway, a train returning from Machu Picchu collided with a train heading towards the site in the early afternoon near Qoriwayrachina, also an archaeological site.

The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed.

Videos on local media showed train carriages with broken windows and dented sides stuck along the railway line.

Built by the Incas in the 15th century as a sanctuary for the country’s emperors, Machu Picchu attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors a year. The number of visitors to the site has increased by approximately 25% in the last decade.

Tourism in the region has been affected by political turmoil and disagreements over how the area is governed. Protesters sometimes block the railway leading to the area.

Machu Picchu can also be reached via a four-day hike from the quaint town of Ollantaytambo.