America News Agency

According to a statement from local authorities, two trains collided on Tuesday on the only line leading to the ancient Inca city.

The statement said 20 ambulances were dispatched to the scene and the injured were transferred to healthcare facilities in the nearby city of Cusco.

The U.S. Embassy in Peru said U.S. citizens were injured in the crash, but police have not yet confirmed the identities of those involved.

Local media outlet Peru21 reported that the evacuation was “hampered” by the rugged terrain around the crash site and that “hundreds” of tourists were waiting to be evacuated.

The collision occurred on tracks linking Ollantaytambo Station with Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. The journey between the two stations typically takes about 90 minutes.

The two trains involved in the crash were operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail, respectively.

In a statement, PeruRail said it was “deeply saddened by what happened” and added that its staff “immediately” provided first aid to the train driver, the conductor and passengers involved.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.