A minibus carrying 20 passengers plunged into a road about 26 kilometers from the citadel of Machu Picchu, falling 100 meters in an area known as Ambra Malaga on Sunday. “The 20 people affected by this unfortunate accident are Colombians, Argentines, Peruvians, also citizens from Greece, France, the Netherlands, Israel, Canada,” confirmed the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Roberto Sanchez. The minibus had a Peruvian driver and guide, as well as a Peruvian tourist. French tourist Timothée Malexieux, who was among the passengers, told reporters that they had all returned from a visit to Machu Picchu and that he was sleeping when the capsize occurred. “I’m physically fine,” he added briefly in Spanish. Reckless drivers and excessive speed are the main causes of road accidents in Peru. Experts have suggested for nearly two decades that comprehensive transport reform is the solution, but no government has started it. Between January and October 2021, approximately 2,053 people died in road accidents in Peru, according to the latest available data.
