Over the ongoing protests against Peru’s president, the country’s famous tourist site Machu Picchu has been closed indefinitely.
The government stated that the site and the Inca Trail hike leading to it were closed to protect tourists and citizens.
Hundreds of people, mostly foreigners, are believed to be stranded at the site’s base.
Dozens have been killed in months of violent protests that began after the previous leader was deposed.
The tourists stranded at Machu Picchu are not the first to be stranded there as a result of the protests, which have disrupted transportation services and damaged nearby train tracks.
On Thursday, rail services to the site were suspended.
Last month, authorities had to rescue hundreds of tourists who had been trapped for days nearby.
Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel built in the 15th century in the Andes mountains that was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It is extremely popular with tourists, with approximately a million people visiting each year.
Some visitors arrive at Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, a well-known multi-day trek.
Peru’s culture ministry said in a statement that those who had already purchased Machu Picchu tickets would be able to use them for one month after the demonstrations ended, or they would be refunded.
Demonstrators in Peru are calling for new elections and for the country’s new President, Dina Boluarte, to resign, which she has so far refused to do.
They want her left-wing predecessor, Pedro Castillo, released from prison after being charged with rebellion and conspiracy.
Authorities announced on Saturday that another protester had died as a result of protests in Puno’s southern region, where police stations were set on fire.
At least 58 Peruvians have been injured as a result of the protests.