Peruvian authorities have increased security at Machu Picchu after a TikTok video surfaced showing a woman dispersing what appeared to be human ashes at the iconic Inca citadel. The 30-second clip, filmed last week, shows a woman removing ashes from a plastic bag and scattering them into the air, accompanied by a caption that mentioned “saying goodbye with much love at Machu Picchu” along with hashtags like “ashes” and “spreading ashes.” The video, initially posted by the travel agency account @IncaGoExpeditions, was quickly removed from TikTok after drawing widespread public outrage in Peru.
Cesar Medina, the head of the Machu Picchu archaeological park, confirmed that although there were no local laws prohibiting the spreading of human ashes, such actions would now be banned for health reasons. To prevent future incidents, authorities plan to hire additional guards and install more surveillance cameras. Currently, the site, a UNESCO World Heritage location, sees about 5,600 visitors daily, yet it only has four cameras and a small security team.
Machu Picchu, built in the 15th century by Incan emperor Pachacuti, is located at an altitude of 2,438 meters in the Peruvian Andes. As one of the world’s most visited and culturally significant sites, the authorities’ decision to tighten security comes in response to concerns over preserving the site’s integrity and ensuring the safety of visitors.
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