US tourist loses arm in Peru dune buggy accident

A tourist from the United States lost an arm after a dune buggy overturned during a tour in Peru's popular Huacachina oasis. The accident, which occurred on Saturday, also left nine other people injured, including tourists from the U.S. and France, as well as their tour guide.

The injured woman was part of a group of ten tourists when the vehicle apparently lost control and rolled down a dune. The incident has prompted Peru's National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Intellectual Property (Indecopi) to launch an investigation into the accident to determine responsibilities.

This investigation follows a recent penalty by Indecopi, which fined two companies operating tours in Huacachina nearly $733,000 for the death of a French tourist in a similar accident last year. Indecopi found that Aventura Sin Fronteras E.I.R.L., the company conducting the tour, allowed the excursion in a vehicle lacking adequate safety conditions. This led to the vehicle moving uncontrollably on the sandy slope, causing the fatal accident.

Lima Experience, the company that marketed the tour package, was also cited for failing to verify that the contracted operator provided services under safe conditions. Indecopi emphasized that subcontracting the service does not absolve the marketing company of its responsibility to consumers.