Peruvian media say two trains running on a route to the UNESCO World Heritage site Machu Picchu have collided. The authorities say one driver died and 36 people were injured, including tourists.

Reports say the crash happened on Tuesday afternoon between Machu Picchu Station and Ollantaytambo Station, about 30 kilometers away.

Photos of the scene show badly damaged cars and people believed to be passengers alongside the railway.

Reports say the trains may have collided head on, as the crash took place on a section of railway with a single track.

NHK spoke by phone with a tourist from Tokyo who had planned to board the train at Machu Picchu Station following a tour of the archaeological site.

The man in his 50s said train services had been suspended by the time he arrived at the station, with the surrounding area crowded with people. He said he had been stranded at the station for over five hours.

He said passengers had been informed by an announcement they would have to wait about two hours. But there was no information on what had caused the crash, or what was happening afterward. He said he booked a hotel after hearing about the situation from an acquaintance.

nhk