British Tourists Attacked on Inca Trail

Eight British tourists were yesterday resting in the Peruvian city of Cuzco after armed men beat their porters and stole their belongings as they camped on the world-famous Inca trail.

The bandits, dressed in dark clothing, beat the group's 26 porters and entered the tents where the Britons and five other travellers from India, South Africa and Canada were camping early on Tuesday while en route to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu.

None of the tourists was harmed in the incident, a police spokesman said. The porters were treated for cuts and bruises.

The British tourists were identified as Jordan Gedotal, Leah Radcliffe, Nicola Lamprell, Nora Powell, Stuart Merrick, Steven Drake, Sonja Lasbbed and Paul Oliver.

They were recovering in the centre of Cuzco, from where they had set off on their trek. All eight declined to be interviewed.

Police presence on the Inca trail was suspended after the National Institute of Culture, responsible for its upkeep, stopped paying their salaries, the police spokesman said.

Despite the lack of security, no previous incidents of violent robbery had been reported.

"It is the first time anything like this has happened," said the spokesman, who declined to give his name. He said the robbers stole cash, cameras and mobile phones.

Police are investigating and expect to make arrests in the coming days, the spokesman said.

The group was camping near the town of Ollantaytambo, 50 miles along the trail and about 335 miles south-east of the capital, Lima.

Thousands of tourists make the four-day trek up the mountainous trail each year, following the route of the ancient Incas from Cuzco to the high mountain ruins of Machu Picchu.