Political Unrest Leaves Hundreds Of Tourists Stranded In Machu Picchu, All Throughout Peru
Hundreds of tourists are stranded in the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru, as political unrest has spread throughout the country in the wake of the attempted coup and subsequent removal of President Pedro Castillo.
CNN reports that Darwin Baca, Machu Picchu's mayor, said that Americans, Europeans, South Americans and Peruvians are among the nearly 300 stranded travelers.
"We have asked the government to help us and establish helicopter flights in order to evacuate the tourists," Baca told CNN. The only way to get in and out of the town is by train, and these services are suspended until further notice, he said.
Peru's president was ousted last week and detained after attempting to dismiss the country's government. The country has since seen turmoil, as protests have left the new government scrambling for control.
The instability has led the country's rail service, PeruRail, to halt its services, according to Baca.
The rail service has said it aims to help the stranded passengers reschedule their travel arrangements to prioritize their safety.
"We regret the inconvenience that these announcements generate for our passengers; however, they are due to situations beyond the control of our company and seek to prioritize the safety of passengers and workers," the company said in a statement.
Multiple countries have issued travel warnings for tourists interested in going to Peru, including the U.S. and United Kingdom.
Tourists from around the globe have found themselves stranded in Peru following the political upheaval, including dozens stuck in a remote town for over 48 hours, according to Reuters.
There are reports of roads being blocked by protestors and gangs, but no foreigners have reported violence as of yet.
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