Peru rescues people trapped by highway landslides after nearly a week

A landslide that struck a major highway in the central Andes of Peru last week left dozens of motorists stranded for nearly seven days before rescue teams were able to reach them. The blockage occurred on the Carretera Central, a vital transport corridor connecting Lima with the highland regions, after heavy rains triggered a series of mudslides that collapsed a section of the road and buried several vehicles.

Peruvian emergency services, including the National Police, the Army’s engineering corps, and local fire brigades, coordinated a multi‑day operation to free the trapped individuals. Helicopters were deployed to air‑lift supplies and evacuate the injured, while ground crews used excavators and manual labor to clear debris. By the end of the operation, more than a dozen people had been rescued, several of whom required medical attention for injuries sustained during the entrapment. Authorities also reopened the highway to limited traffic after confirming the stability of the surrounding slopes.

The incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Peru’s mountainous infrastructure to extreme weather events. Officials said they will conduct a thorough assessment of the affected stretch and reinforce the area to prevent similar occurrences, while urging drivers to monitor weather forecasts and road conditions before traveling in high‑risk zones.