A train driver has died and at least 40 people have been injured in a head-on rail collision near Peru's most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu.
Two trains collided on the single track leading to the ancient Inca town on Tuesday, according to a statement from the local government.
It said that 20 ambulances had attended the scene and that injured people had been transferred to medical facilities in the nearby city of Cusco.
The US embassy in Peru confirmed that US citizens were among the injured, although police have yet to confirm the identities of those involved.
According to local media outlet Peru21, hundreds of tourists remain at the scene awaiting evacuation, which has been hampered by difficult terrain around the crash site.
At least 20 of the injured are reported to be in serious condition, a health official told the Reuters news agency.
The collision occurred on the track linking Ollantaytambo Station and Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu. The journey between the two stations typically takes about 90 minutes.
The trains involved were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail. PeruRail expressed its regret about the incident, stating that its staff had immediately provided first aid to the train driver, conductor, and passengers.
The cause of the accident has not yet been clarified.
This disaster comes amid ongoing disputes over transport services to the UNESCO world heritage site, with local communities expressing concerns over a bidding process they deem to be insufficiently open.
The trains and buses that take tourists to the ancient town typically have high ticket prices and can be highly profitable due to the site's limited accessibility.
Machu Picchu, built in the 15th Century, is considered one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, drawing thousands of visitors. Concerns regarding overtourism have grown, especially after officials implemented a daily visitor cap in 2011.
