Last tourists airlifted from Macchu Picchu

THE authorities have said that the last tourists stranded near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu have been airlifted to safety after devastating floods.

A total of 3,900 tourists and local people were flown out of the tiny mountain village of Machu Picchu Pueblo last week after mudslides and torrential rains destroyed sections of the railway that is the only form of transit in and out of the village below the Inca citadel.

The remaining 1,277 travellers were evacuated on Friday as authorities raced to complete the job against darkening skies.

Perurail said it will take months to repair the railway.