Angry tourists await evacuation from Inca citadel Machu Picchu

Wed, 27 Jan 2010

Lima - Around 1,400 tourists remained trapped Wednesday at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, in the southern Peruvian region of Cusco, and some complained about ongoing evacuation procedures. "It has been mostly private helicopters that came over. They charged up to 500 dollars and they took away those who could pay. No priority was given to the sick or to children," Brazilian tourist Deliane de Queiroz told Peruvian media.

Heavy rain had claimed 10 lives in the region of Cusco, damaged the property of 10,000 people and caused a mudslide that cut off the railway service between the world-famous Machu Picchu and regional capital Cusco.

On Tuesday, over 400 tourists were evacuated from the village of Aguas Calientes, adjacent to the archeological site of Machu Picchu, in Peruvian Air Force helicopters and private aircraft.

Among those still trapped in the area were 500 Argentines, 300 Chileans and 120 Brazilians.

Tourists regularly visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco, the nearest city, for the night. A mudslide led Sunday to an interruption of the railway, leaving tourists trapped near the Andean citadel.

The small tourist town of Aguas Calientes did not have enough hotel beds for all the day visitors and some have had to use tents or sleep at the station.

"We have gone hungry," Argentine tourist Florencia Galindez said.

"Bouts of flu and stomach problems have already started. The cold is implacable and we have no mats or blankets," said Chilean tourist Fernando Celis.

Visitors complained of the price increases in food and lodging, and of the chaotic evacuation procedure.

Peruvian Tourism Minister Martin Perez visited the area Wednesday and said 800 further people were expected to be evacuated later in the day.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said Tuesday that the United States had provided four helicopters to help with the evacuation of about 400 US citizens. US embassy personnel were moved to the area from the capital Lima to assist the Peruvian police and military.

Machu Picchu gets up to 55,000 visitors per year. The citadel is Peru's main tourist destination and as such a major source of income.

Located at an altitude of about 2,400 meters in the Andes, over the Urubamba valley, the so-called "Lost City of the Incas" features over 200 structures including temples, palaces and other buildings.

Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu remained largely hidden from the outside world until US archeologist Hiram Bingham came across it in 1911.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/306205,angry-tourists-await-evacuation-from-inca-citadel-machu-picchu.html.