A plane en route to showcase Peru's ancient Nazca Lines crashed Saturday near the city of Nazca, killing all 13 people on board, including tourists and the flight crew. The aircraft, operated by Peruvian company Aerodiana, departed from the nearby city of Ica.
The victims included seven Italian citizens, two Spaniards, and two Germans. The pilot, Américo Salazar, and copilot, Irenka Guanilo del Carpio, were also among the deceased, according to Peru's Transportation Ministry. The ages of the Italian tourists ranged from 18 to 54, while the Spanish victims were 52 years old, and the German tourists were 77 and 78.
Aerodiana, which has offered scenic flights over the Nazca Lines for 14 years using Cessna Grand Caravan planes, has not yet commented. The Nazca Lines are a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprising a collection of large geoglyphs etched into the desert floor by Indigenous peoples centuries ago. These intricate designs, often depicting animals, are best viewed from the air.
Peruvian authorities have launched an investigation into the crash. President Keiko Fujimori expressed regret over the incident and stated that a temporary suspension of the airport's operations was being considered pending reports from relevant ministries. The crash occurred in the Vista Alegre district.