Nine Irish among 2,000 stranded by mudslides at Machu Picchu

THE Department of Foreign Affairs was last night providing consular assistance to nine Irish tourists who were among 2,000 people stranded by mudslides in the Machu Picchu region of Peru where a state of emergency has been declared.

The tourists, who have not yet been named, were trapped after the main road into Machu Picchu Park was blocked by flash flooding.

Most of those stranded were said to have been provided with emergency accommodation and none were thought to be in any danger.