A major train crash involving British tourists near Peru's iconic Machu Picchu has left one person dead and at least forty others injured.
Collision on Tourist Route
The horrific incident occurred on the railway line that transports visitors from the village of Ollantaytambo to the world-famous ancient site of Machu Picchu. Two trains collided head-on in a devastating smash on Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with images showing police officers carrying injured passengers away from the wreckage. The sole fatality has been identified as the train driver, Roberto Cárdenas, according to reports from Peruvian newspaper Peru21.
British Nationals Caught Up in the Disaster
British tourists were confirmed to be on the trains involved in the collision. Authorities are currently working to establish the full extent of injuries among all passengers, and it is not yet clear how many Britons were among the forty reported injured.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is likely to be providing consular assistance to those affected. The remote location of the crash, in the Andes mountains, posed significant challenges for the rescue operation.
Ongoing Investigation and Aftermath
Peruvian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the head-on collision on this vital tourist route. The line is a critical transport link for thousands of international visitors who travel to see the UNESCO World Heritage site each year.
This tragic event casts a shadow over what is typically a busy period for tourism in the region. Travel operators and insurance companies are now assisting customers caught up in the aftermath. The condition of the injured, and the full nationalities of all those involved, are still being confirmed as this remains a developing news story.
