LPeruvian authorities announced on Tuesday increased security at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a sacred site where tourists have been filmed scattering suspected human ashes.
“We will strengthen surveillance measures on site,” by installing more cameras and deploying more guards, César Medina, head of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park, told AFP.
A video on TikTok
Last week, an undated video showing a woman scattering ashes from a plastic bag into the air, before hugging another woman in the citadel, sparked a wave of indignation in Peru after its post on TikTok.
The images were accompanied by the caption: “A loving farewell to Machu Picchu” and the hashtags #ashes and #scatterdescendries.
The video, lasting 30 seconds, was deleted from the @IncaGoExpeditions account, belonging to a travel agency, which had broadcast it first.
No complaints
“The police were notified, but no complaint was filed because we cannot blame the agency for something that is not punishable,” said Mr. Medina, explaining that local legislation does not provide for anything concerning the wild scattering of human ashes.
After this affair, the practice will be prohibited on the site for health reasons, he added.
Classified as a World Heritage Site since 1983, Machu Picchu, located 130 kilometers from Cuzco and at an altitude of 2,438 meters, was built in the 15th century on the orders of the Inca emperor Pachacutec (1438-1470).
The site, which welcomes an average of 5,600 visitors per day, has only four surveillance cameras and a small number of guards.
