Six Italians and dozens of other tourists were seriously injured in Peru when their bus crashed while descending from the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, local police said.
The driver reportedly lost control and the vehicle plunged off the zigzagging mountain road that connects the historic site with the tourist town of Aguas Calientes, falling about 15 meters. “We have 30 injured tourists; they have all been taken to Cusco,” a Peruvian police official said. Immediately after the accident, authorities and local residents rushed to the aid of the tourists to help them reach the city’s health center. At least 20 people, including Italians, Chileans and Guatemalans, were hospitalized with broken bones. Five Mexicans, two Japanese and one Chinese national were also injured. Police have opened an investigation into the accident.