Machu Picchu tourist killed by lightning

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041019/325/f4vit.html



LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - A Russian tourist has been struck by lightning and killed on the summit of Huayna Picchu, the imposing mountain that rises behind Peru's famous Inca citadel Machu Picchu.

Police identified the victim as Ahato Denis Pankiin, 35. He was probably taking a photo around the time he was hit, police officer Francisco Teran told Reuters by telephone on Tuesday.

"Witnesses say he was struck by lightning just when he was on the summit," said Jose Cahua, an official at the local prosecutor's office. The incident happened on Monday.

Witnesses said simultaneous bolts of lightning had hit Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.

It takes about an hour to climb the steep stone steps the Incas carved on Huayna Picchu, but the trek affords magnificent views of Machu Picchu's imposing grey stone ruins and the surrounding mountains, cloud forest and Inca stone terraces.