In Peru, the famous tourist destination Machu Picchu has been closed indefinitely due to ongoing protests against the country’s president, Dina Boluarte, the BBC reports.

Due to protests, the temple of Machu Picchu was closed Photo: Charles Wollertz / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

The government said it shut down the site to protect its tourists and its own citizens.

Hundreds of people, mostly foreigners, are now said to be stranded at the foot of the temple town.

Dozens of people were killed during violent protests that began after the removal of the former leader.

Demonstrators are demanding new elections and calling on the new president, Dina Boluarte, to resign, which she has so far refused to do.

They want former left-wing president Pedro Castillo, who is in prison on charges of rebellion and conspiracy, to be released.

In the latest clashes, roads were blocked and police fired tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators in Lima.

The tourists stranded in Machu Picchu are not the first to be stranded there during the protests, which have disrupted transport services and damaged nearby railway tracks. Railway services in the temple area were suspended on Thursday.

Last month, the authorities had to rescue hundreds of tourists who were stranded for several days.

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century citadel in the Andes Mountains that was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It is very popular among tourists, and every year the temple is visited by about a million people.

Peru’s Ministry of Culture said in a statement that those who have already bought tickets will be able to use them for a month after the demonstrations end or be refunded.

Authorities announced Saturday that another protester had died after demonstrations in the Puno region saw police stations set on fire.

At least 58 Peruvians were injured in the clashes.

Machu Picchu is a 15th century AD temple city located in the Cuzco (Cusco or Cosco) region of Peru, South America. Its ruins were discovered in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham and are among the most beautiful and mysterious ancient sites in the world. In 1983, UNESCO declared Machu Picchu a world heritage site, describing it as “an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony of the Inca civilization,” according to Agerpres.