The coach crashed into “a ravine of more than 100 meters” about a hundred kilometers from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco.
Four tourists died and 16 were injured, including four French, in a bus accident in Peru after visiting the citadel of Machu Picchu, authorities announced on Monday August 22.
The coach crashed into “a ravine of more than 100 meters“, indicated the Minister of Labor and Tourism Roberto Sanchez, according to which “it was foggy where the accident happened“. Three of the deceased tourists are of Colombian nationality, the fourth of Peruvian nationality, the ministry said in a statement.
Read alsoPeru: Tourists protest against the suspension of entries to Machu Picchu
In addition to the four French, among the injured are two Greeks, two Canadians, two Israelis, two Argentines, a Dutchman, a Spaniard and two Peruvians, including the driver. The accident occurred on the night of Sunday to Monday about a hundred kilometers from the city of Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, the main starting point for tour operators organizing visits to Machu Picchu. Some injured were to be transferred to Lima in a plane chartered by the Air Force, he added. “We express our condolences to the families and governments of foreign tourists who sadly passed away“said the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter.
Road accidents are frequent in Peru, due in particular to the state of the road network, excessive speed or lack of signage. Three weeks ago, 16 people died when their coach crashed into a ravine in central Junin province. Some 5,000 tourists on average visit Machu Picchu daily, built in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacutec, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and among the list of wonders of the world.
SEE ALSO – Exhibition: the well-kept secrets of Machu Picchu