Peru: Fire burning on road to Machu Picchu kills 1
One person has died and two others have suffered burns in a fire near the main access route to the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
A fire broke out near the main road leading to the historic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru, resulting in one death and two injuries, officials reported on Saturday. The blaze started on Friday in the Sacred Valley, a region that encompasses the Cusco area, known as a major hub for travelers heading to Machu Picchu. Miguel Osco, head of the Cusco Regional Office for Disaster Management and Safety, informed RPP radio that an elderly individual perished in the flames, while two others suffered second-degree burns.
Osco explained that the fire was ignited through controlled bush burning practices employed by farmers to prepare land for cultivation. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the intense heat, strong winds, and arid vegetation conditions. Machu Picchu, constructed by the Incas in the 15th century at an elevation of 2,500 meters in the Andes Mountains, is renowned for its architectural brilliance.
As a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the ancient sanctuary draws approximately three million visitors annually, solidifying its status as Peru's premier tourist attraction.
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