Helicopters rescue 600 tourists

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A further 600 tourists have been moved out of flood-hit Machu Picchu in Peru by helicopters, after the rains eased in the region.

Authorities have confirmed that they will send helicopters throughout the week to rescue up to 1,600 travellers still stranded in the area after mudslides blocked the land and rail route from the Inca citadel.

Tourists ferried on Wednesday said that the helicopter landing site had eroded because of a rain-swollen river.

Stranded tourists complained of being victimised by price-gouging because food, water and accommodations are currently scarce in the Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Peru's Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde said: "Everyone is safe, though obviously uncomfortable. They are sleeping in tents, and the food gets there late, but what's important is that they are safe."

Earlier it was estimated that around 2,000 tourists were stuck in the region after train service stopped. So far 1,070 people have been airlifted since Tuesday.

But Mr Garcia Belaunde said 1,500 to 1,600 tourists remained as more had arrived at the evacuation site on foot after trekking along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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