Lima, Aug. 2 (V7N) – A small aircraft carrying tourists on a sightseeing tour of Peru's world-famous Nazca Lines has crashed, killing all 13 people on board, including 11 passengers and two pilots, according to local authorities and media reports.
The accident occurred on Saturday local time when a Cessna Caravan C-208 aircraft crashed in the Pueblo Viejo area shortly after taking off from Pisco Airport. The aircraft later caught fire. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
According to Peru's state news agency, the victims included seven Italian tourists, two Germans and two Spaniards.
Police, quoted by AFP, described the crash as devastating, saying there were no survivors. Officials said four bodies had initially been recovered from the wreckage as rescue and recovery operations continued.
Video footage published by Reuters showed thick smoke rising from the crash site while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
In a statement, the Nazca provincial municipal authorities expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended their condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Peru, are among the country's most popular tourist attractions. The enormous ancient geoglyphs, depicting animals and geometric figures across the desert floor, are best viewed from the air, making sightseeing flights a popular activity for visitors.
The latest crash adds to a series of aviation accidents in the region. In 2022, a tourist aircraft crashed near the Nazca Lines, killing seven people, while another sightseeing plane accident in 2010 claimed six lives.
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