Two thousand tourists, including a number of Britons, are trapped at Peru's famous Inca ruins after landslides. They have been stranded on the historical site of Machu Picchu in Peru after torrential rain flooded the area, setting off lethal mudslides that have killed five people. About 400 Americans and 700 Argentines were among the initial 2,000 travelers stranded, and U.S. authorities sent four helicopters to bolster rescue efforts Tuesday.
Days of heavy rains have triggered up to 40 landslides, one of which blocked the railway connecting the 7,000ft-high Inca ruins with the city of Cuzco.
The deaths raised to five the number of people killed by rain-triggered floods and landslides in the area, Moscoso said. The spectacular Incan ruins, perched on an Andean mountaintop, are Peru's top tourist destination.
Government and private helicopters are currently flying some to safety but many travellers are still sheltering in Machu Picchu village's train station and the central plaza after hostels ran out of space. More helicopters are promised, but their arrival depends on the weather.
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