A Peruvian Sword of Damocles

Boulders the size of a house

The Panamericana from Lima to Cusco is one of Peru’s most important roads. Halfway between Curahuasi and the old Inka capital a huge stone avalanche crashed from the hills into the valley blocking the road. The boulder in the background is the size of a duplex house and weighs 1,000t – a fatal hit, should it land on a car.

Everybody who passes this point, breathes a sigh of relief and thinks: “Thank God that it did not land on my car!”

Doris Manco, head of our Media Centre passed this point yesterday at 10:30a.m. During the rainy season such avalanches are not infrequent. But their timing is unknown, just like the Sword of Damocles back in 400 B.C.

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