FEBRUARY 1ST, 2010 – 09:00 GMT
PERURAIL & MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARY LODGE
The airlift implemented by the Peruvian government to evacuate visitors and residents of Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo and Cuzco airport was completed successfully over the weekend. There are no longer any tourists in the area who wish to leave.
Heavy rains causing severe flooding in the Machu Picchu region have caused a series of landslides which severely damaged and eroded railway tracks between Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the only means of vehicular access to the ancient Inca citadel.
PeruRail services are currently suspended and none of the Company’s trains have been able to operate between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu since 23rd January.
It is difficult to estimate when the track will be back in service because of the uncertainty of the weather conditions. Engineers, who because of Peru’s annual rainy season from November to March are experienced in dealing with landslide damage, are working to assess the extent of the works required.
The Peruvian government has pledged its full support to the repair project, details of which will be made available once they are finalised.
Orient-Express’ 31 room hotel, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, was not damaged by the floods. All guests have been evacuated and the hotel remains ready to welcome guests as soon as access to Machu Picchu is reinstated.
Hotel Rio Sagrado, in the Sacred Valley, reopens today, having been evacuated when river levels were very high on 26th January. The property was not damaged.
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29TH JANUARY, 2010 – 09:00 GMT
Yesterday the airlift implemented by the Peruvian government to evacuate visitors and residents of Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo and Cuzco airport transported 1,402 people on 92 flights.
The Peruvian Army is managing activities around Machu Picchu train station in order to maintain security and order. Those not yet transferred out are being accommodated in PeruRail train carriages and over 2,000kg of food and water, as well as blankets, has been airlifted in.
In order to reduce the impact of this natural disaster on Peru's tourist industry, PeruRail is evaluating alternative ways to reestablish the tourist flow to Machu Picchu.
PeruRail would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Trade & Tourism, Martin Perez, the Vice Minister of Tourism, Mara Seminario, and the officers and pilots of the Peruvian Army and Police for carrying out this successful operation.
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28TH JANUARY, 2010 – 18:00 GMT
The helicopter air shuttle between Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo village began operation at 08:00 Peruvian time this morning and in the last four hours, a further 600 passengers have been evacuated, bringing the total number to date to approximately 1,737. The air shuttle will continue to operate for the rest of the day, weather permitting.
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28TH JANUARY, 2010 – 10:00 GMT
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade & Tourism in Peru, yesterday a further 595 people were evacuated from Machu Picchu, bringing the total number of passengers transferred so far to 1,137.
Passengers are being transferred by air from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo village, where they are boarding buses provided by PeruRail for the onward journey to Cuzco by road.
There were 11 helicopters operating the air shuttle service yesterday, which have been provided by the Peruvian Armed Forces, Police department and the US Embassy, along with an additional aircraft hired by PeruRail.
The Minister for Foreign Trade & Tourism, Martin Perez, is directing the air shuttle operation and the order in which passengers are evacuated on all 11 helicopters has been entirely determined by Mr Perez and the Peruvian authorities. Priority has been given to those over 60 years of age, pregnant women, those with health problems and children.
PeruRail has arranged for the returning helicopters to be loaded with approximately 1,200 kilos of food, representing 750 breakfasts, one thousand lunches and 750 suppers for those people remaining in Machu Picchu.
PeruRail’s main concern is the continued comfort and safety of its passengers and staff at Machu Picchu station who are being provided with food, water and blankets, and have access to the internet and telephones in the ticketing office so that they can communicate with families, consulates and embassies.
Passengers who are scheduled to travel with PeruRail in the next seven days should contact their travel consultant or PeruRail for further information and advice on their journey.
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27TH JANUARY, 2010 – 16:00 GMT
Approximately 450 of the 1,923 people stranded at Machu Picchu village following the weekend’s heavy rains, which caused a series of landslides damaging railway lines between Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the only means of access to the ancient Inca citadel, have now been transferred by helicopter and road to Cuzco.
Today at first light, the transfer by helicopter of the remaining people stranded at Machu Picchu village recommenced.
There are now seven helicopters operating an air shuttle service for the 12 minute journey between Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo village. Weather permitting, the Peruvian authorities coordinating the air transfers have informed us that they hope to be able to transport a further 700-750 people by sunset today.
Passengers are being transferred by air from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo village, where they will board buses provided by PeruRail for the onward journey to Cuzco by road.
Those people stranded at Machu Picchu station are being provided with food, water and blankets by PeruRail, and have access to the internet and telephones in the ticketing office so that they can communicate with families, consulates and embassies.
PeruRail wishes to reiterate its continued commitment to provide shelter, clothing and food to its passengers, and is using all the resources at its disposal for the successful and swift completion of the air shuttle procedure.
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26TH JANUARY, 2010
Heavy rains in the Machu Picchu region since Saturday 23rd January have caused a series of landslides which have severely damaged and eroded railway tracks between Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the only means of access to the ancient Inca citadel.
PeruRail services are currently suspended and none of the Company’s trains have been able to operate between Cuzco and Machu Picchu since Saturday afternoon. No PeruRail trains were involved in the landslides and all staff and passengers are safe and well.
Continued torrential rain and rising levels on the Vilcanota and Urubamba rivers, which have reached their highest levels for 15 years, have hampered track repairs being conducted by the rail network operator, FTSA, and delayed an operation planned by the Peruvian government to transfer those stranded by helicopter.
The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in the region on 25th January and a rescue operation of the 1,923 people (both Peruvian nationals and international tourists) who have been stranded in Machu Picchu village, has begun.
60 people were evacuated to Ollantaytambo by helicopter yesterday. A further six helicopters, four of which have been loaned by the US Embassy in Lima, will arrive this morning, meaning that approximately 500 people per day will be able to be transferred out.
PeruRail’s main concern and priority is the continued comfort and safety of all its passengers and staff and is working with the emergency services to ensure a swift and secure transfer. Orient-Express’ hotel, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, has been delivering food parcels and water to those stranded at the station and the company has arranged for further supplies to be flown in from Cuzco by helicopter.
Passengers who are scheduled to travel with PeruRail in the next seven days should contact their travel consultant or PeruRail for further information and advice on their journey.
For further information please contact Vicky Legg, PR Director, at +44 20 7805 5067 or Vicky.legg@orient-express.com.
