(CNN) – Some 300 tourists from around the world have been stranded in the ancient city of Machu Picchu, according to the mayor, after Peru plunged into a state of emergency following the ouster of the country’s president.
Darwin Baca, the mayor of Machu Picchu, said Peruvians, South Americans, Americans and Europeans are among the stranded travelers.
“We have asked the government to help us and set up helicopter flights to evacuate tourists,” Baca said. The only way in and out of the town is by train, and these services are suspended until further notice, he said.
“PeruRail said that they are still reviewing the situation,” Baca explained.
The United States is in contact with US citizens stranded in Peru, a State Department spokesperson told CNN on Friday.
“We are providing all appropriate consular assistance and are monitoring the situation closely. Due to privacy and security considerations, we will not provide further details on the number of US citizens who have communicated,” the spokesperson added.
The US embassy in Peru said in a statement early Friday that the Peruvian government is organizing an evacuation of foreigners from Aguas Calientes, a town that serves as the main access point to Machu Picchu.
“We will release a message with instructions as soon as the assistance plan is confirmed. Travelers located in Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Village must follow the instructions of the local authorities if they choose to remain in place to receive assistance with the trip to Cusco, as well like any travelers who may choose to travel on foot,” the statement added.
Food shortage in Machu Picchu
Mayor Baca also warned that Machu Picchu is already experiencing food shortages due to the protests and that the local economy is 100% dependent on tourism.
Baca urged the government, headed by the new president Dina Boluarte, to start a dialogue with the local population to put an end to social discontent as soon as possible.
PeruRail has said it would help affected passengers to change their travel dates.
“We regret the inconvenience that these announcements generate for our passengers, however, they are due to situations beyond our company and seek to prioritize the safety of passengers and workers,” the company said in a statement.
Tourists stranded elsewhere in Peru
Travelers wait outside the Cuzco airport on Friday after it was closed due to protests.
Paul Gambin/Reuters
LATAM Airlines Peru said that operations to and from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón International Airport in Arequipa and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cuzco, 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Machu Picchu, had been temporarily suspended.
“LATAM maintains constant monitoring of the political situation in Peru to provide the pertinent information according to how it may impact our air operation,” the airline said in a statement.
“We await the response of the corresponding authorities, who must take corrective measures to guarantee safety for the development of air operations.”
He added: “We regret the inconvenience that this situation beyond our control has caused our passengers and we reinforce our commitment to air safety and connectivity in the country.”
US, UK and Canadian Warnings
Demonstrators clash with police during a protest in Lima on Thursday.
Sebastian Castaneda/Reuters
The US Department of State has issued a travel advisory for citizens traveling in Peru, which it has listed as a level three “travel reconsideration” destination.
“Demonstrations can result in the closure of local roads, trains and major highways, often without warning or estimated timeframes for reopening.
“Road closures can significantly reduce access to public transport and airports and can disrupt travel both within and between cities,” it warns.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also warned its citizens about the situation.
He also told travelers arriving in the capital Lima that there is no possibility of travel to or from many regional areas, including Cusco and Arequipa, and further disruption is possible.
British citizens were also warned to respect the curfews in place in Peru and to monitor local news and social media for more information.
Tourists running out of medicine
American tourist Kathryn Martucci spoke to CNN about being trapped in Machu Picchu, Peru.
Courtesy Kathryn Martucci
An American tourist stuck in Machu Picchu has run out of medicine and isn’t sure when she’ll be able to get out of the small town and get more, she tells CNN.
Florida resident Kathryn Martucci, 71, was on a group trip with 13 other Americans when Peru entered a state of emergency, she said.
According to Martucci, his travel group was unable to catch the last train out of the small town before the railway was discontinued.
Her son Michael Martucci, who lives in the United States, also with CNN and has been spoken to to help his mother find a way out.
“They’ve been there since Monday, and now she and the other people she’s with are running out of the medication they need,” Martucci said. “There is nothing in the small town they are stuck in. They are safe and have food luckily, but there is no way to get more medicine.”
Martucci said his group was scheduled to stay at Machu Picchu for two days, so they were told to pack light and only bring a two-day supply of medicine.
On Friday morning, Martucci said his tour guide took his group to City Hall for medical evaluation in the hope that local officials would understand their situation and help them find a way out.
“There were around 100 tourists in line and we waited two hours before seeing the doctor,” Martucci said. “They told me that I was a priority and that they were going to try to take me out of Machu Picchu in a helicopter in the next two days.”
However, Martucci isn’t sure if that will happen, she told CNN.
“There are several people who need help and a helicopter can only carry 10 people. We don’t know what is happening.”
