LIMA, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Australian tourists trapped by mudslides in Peru say they want the Australian government to pressure Peruvian authorities to speed up evacuation efforts.
Rain-induced landslides have cut off roads and railways to the tourist area of Aguas Calientes, near the famous pre-Columbian Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. Peru has begun evacuating about 2,000 visitors and residents using its military helicopters.
But Julie Nemcich, 29, of Sydney said local authorities won't let non-Peruvian helicopters land to help in the evacuation, the Australian Broadcast Corp. reported Wednesday.
Nemcich said about 200 Australians were still in Aguas Calientes.
"We believe there's been a wasted opportunity. All day today it's been very clear weather and helicopters could have been landing to get us out of this flooded area," she told the broadcaster. "But it seems the Peruvian government (is) resisting any help from the U.S., Chilean and Argentinean governments."
Nemcich said she saw "very few Peruvian helicopters" land and pick up "what we believe to be Peruvian citizens that are paying," ABC said.
A spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said the government isn't organizing evacuations for the Australians yet, but has been in "direct contact" with many of the stranded Australians and their tour providers.
"We recognize that the Australians currently stranded in the Aguas Calientes-Macchu Picchu area are uncomfortable and frustrated," the department said in a statement. "But we urge them to exercise patience and await evacuation by the Peruvian authorities."
