An accident in the Pampacahua sector paralyzed the Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu railroad this Friday, October 2. There were no injuries and service resumed at 5:40 p.m.
Train traffic to Machu Picchu was interrupted for more than three hours this Friday after an Inca Rail train and a PeruRail train collided in the Pampacahua sector, on the railroad linking Ollantaytambo with Machu Picchu Pueblo.
What happened?
An Inca Rail train and a PeruRail train collided around 1:25 p.m., according to statements from both companies. FTSA and RPP place it around 1:30 p.m.
The event took place in the Pampacahua sector, Ollantaytambo district, near kilometer 94+200 of the track. It is a single-line section, meaning a single rail where trains run in both directions. This causes any incident to halt all traffic between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Therefore, train services to Machu Picchu were suspended for approximately 4 hours, according to official schedules. During that time, the main land access route to the citadel was paralyzed.
Chronology of what happened
- 1:25–1:30 p.m.: The accident occurs.
- Minutes later: Ferrocarril Transandino S.A. (FTSA), the track concessionaire, orders the suspension of traffic along the entire section. Inca Rail reports that operations are halted “until further notice.”
- 4:05 p.m.: PeruRail publishes its statement confirming the suspension and warning of delays in its scheduled services.
- 5:40 p.m.: FTSA authorizes the resumption of operations after procedures in the area with the authorities.
What is known about the impact
There were no injuries. FTSA and the companies agreed that no injured people or affected third parties were reported. Therefore, while service remained stopped, technical personnel inspected the infrastructure at the accident site in coordination with the authorities.
What has not been explained in detail yet
Official statements speak of an “incident” or an “accident on the railroad”. But they do not use the words “crash” or “collision,” a detail that stood out.
The companies have not specified:
- How the contact between the units occurred
- Whether it was a head-on collision or rear-end collision
- What the material damages were
- How many passengers were traveling on board or how many services were affected
FTSA indicated that it is gathering information to determine the circumstances and responsibilities.
The passengers’ wait
National and foreign tourists waited for more than three hours at the stations. Meanwhile, Inca Rail enabled assistance at its ticket offices in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, in addition to telephone lines and digital channels. PeruRail, on the other hand, made its call center and sales executives available.
Causes and responsibilities to be determined
The companies did not specify how the contact between the units occurred, whether there was material damage, or how many services and passengers were affected. FTSA indicated that it is gathering information to establish the circumstances of the accident and the corresponding responsibilities.
Statements from the companies
PeruRail reported that the stoppage was indicated by the track concessionaire and that it would generate delays in part of its scheduled services. Inca Rail pointed out that operations on the Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu Pueblo route were suspended immediately and until further notice. The company provided assistance at its ticket offices in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu, in addition to its telephone lines and digital channels.
During the interruption, national and foreign tourists stayed at the stations for more than three hours waiting for traffic to normalize.
Resumption of service
Following infrastructure reviews and proceedings with the competent authorities, FTSA authorized the resumption of railway operations on the section at 5:40 p.m. The concessionaire thanked users for their understanding.
PeruRail indicated that it was resuming its services progressively and that it would communicate the rescheduling shortly. For inquiries, it enabled its call center (01 625 4848) and its sales executives. The concessionaires also began the process to regularize the transfers that remained pending.
Background
It is the second collision between trains of both companies in the same place in nine months. The Pampacahua section had already been the scene of another accident on December 30, 2025, with much more serious consequences.
About the Previous Accident
- The event: The accident was recorded at 1:25 p.m., at kilometer 94+235, on a single-track section, when an Inca Rail train going from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes collided head-on with a PeruRail one traveling in the opposite direction.
- The victims: The driver of the Inca Rail train, Roberto Cárdenas Loay, died. The Police reported 107 injured people.
- The indicated cause: According to a report, the Inca Rail train did not stop at the indicated point and moved about 322 meters beyond the allowed limit.
- The legal consequences: Four railway workers from both companies were detained. The MTC initiated administrative proceedings and Indecopi opened an ex officio investigation to verify if passenger rights were violated.
- The impact on service: The accident caused the suspension of the service for more than a day.
A coincidence that worries
The new accident occurred in the same sector, at an almost identical time and between the same two companies. The causes of the event on October 2 have not been explained yet, so it cannot be claimed that they are related. But the precedent revives the debate on the safety of a single-track line that concentrates the tourist flow to Machu Picchu.
