All guests are safe following a February 19 break-in at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in Puerto Maldonado, Peru, according to a statement from parent company Inkaterra shared with Travel Agent. Tragically, one staff member lost their life during the incident.
In what Inkaterra has described as an “isolated incident,” at 8:20 p.m. local time on February 19, a group of armed people broke into the hotel’s gift shop and were detected by the property’s video surveillance system. Resident Manager Percy Ccopa and his team brought all 53 of the hotel’s guests safely to a secure location, but, unfortunately, staff member Elías León lost his life during the break-in. One of Inkaterra’s leading Explorer Guides, León had been with the company for over a decade.
"We are heartbroken by this incident," said Jose Koechlin, founder and chairman of Inkaterra, in a written statement. "We are in close contact with his family to provide support."
After giving statements to the police, all of the hotel’s guests were escorted to their cabins by the local police and Inkaterra’s surveillance team was engaged to guard the property.
"Please be assured that all necessary security measures have been taken to guarantee the safety and well-being of our current and future clients," Koechlin said, "and we are being assisted by the local authorities, who are actively collaborating with us."
Inkaterra operates a number of ecotourism properties in Peru, including Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, a 35-cabana eco-luxury lodge on the Madre de Dios River.
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