(Central News Agency) Peru's culture ministry announced today that authorities have closed the world-renowned tourist attraction Machu Picchu as anti-government demonstrations raged, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded in the deadly unrest Near the ancient Inca city.

Demonstrations calling for the resignation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte have killed 46 people since early December and prompted the government to declare a state of emergency in areas hit by violence, AFP reported.

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Authorities announced today that another protester was killed after demonstrations broke out in the south of the country.

Ahead of today's official closure of Machu Picchu, rail service to the site has been disrupted after it was vandalized by protesters.

At least 400 tourists, including 300 foreigners, are currently stranded in the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of the site and awaiting evacuation.

"In light of the social situation and to protect the safety of tourists, the closure of the Inca Trail network and Machu Picchu buildings has been ordered," the culture ministry said in a statement.

Tourism and Commerce Minister Luis Fernando Helguero said on the 20th that the stranded tourists "could not leave because several sections of the railway were damaged."

A Chilean tourist told AFP on the same day, "We don't know if the train will come to pick us up. All the tourists here are queuing up to register for evacuation."

The protesters are trying to keep up the pressure on the government, ignoring the state of emergency that currently covers nearly a third of the country.

Of the 46 known dead, 45 were protesters and one was a police officer.

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