A sightseeing flight over Peru’s famous Nazca Lines ended in tragedy on Saturday after a small tourist aircraft crashed, killing all 13 people on board.
The aircraft was carrying 11 foreign tourists and two crew members. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors after the plane went down near the world-renowned archaeological site in southern Peru.
Officials have launched an investigation to determine what caused the fatal accident.
Aircraft Crashes Near Nazca
According to local authorities, the aircraft crashed in the Pueblo Viejo area. The site is around six kilometers from the city of Nazca and approximately 12 kilometers from the Nazca Lines.
The aircraft belonged to local airline Aerodiana and had departed from Pisco Airport for a sightseeing tour over one of Peru’s most visited landmarks.
Police reports indicated that the accident occurred at approximately 12:55 p.m. local time. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was conducting its aerial tour and had begun preparing for its return journey.
Fire Broke Out After Impact
Following the crash, the aircraft caught fire, leaving no opportunity for rescue efforts.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and municipal police officers, rushed to the scene. They worked to extinguish the blaze and secure the crash site.
Images circulating on social media showed smoke rising from the wreckage on the dry desert plains surrounding Nazca. However, the footage has not been independently verified.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the aircraft to crash.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions, maintenance records, and flight operations to establish the circumstances behind the accident.
Officials have not released additional information regarding the identities or nationalities of the passengers.
Nazca Lines Remain a Major Tourist Attraction
The Nazca Lines are among Peru’s most famous archaeological attractions. The enormous geoglyphs, carved into the desert centuries ago, attract around 100,000 visitors each year.
Most tourists view the ancient figures from small sightseeing aircraft, offering a unique aerial perspective of the massive drawings spread across the desert.
Weather Had Already Disrupted Flights
The tragedy came just one day after adverse weather affected sightseeing operations in the region.
On Friday, flights departing from the nearby Maria Reiche Airport were suspended because strong winds exceeded 40 kilometers per hour. The conditions reduced visibility by lifting large amounts of dust into the air.
As a result, one aircraft carrying two Peruvian tourists and another transporting six foreign visitors had to divert to Marcona Airport instead of continuing their scheduled flights.
Although authorities have not linked Saturday’s crash to the previous day’s weather conditions, investigators are expected to examine every possible factor during the inquiry.
Authorities Seek Answers
The fatal crash has raised fresh concerns about sightseeing flights operating over the Nazca Lines, one of Peru’s most popular tourist destinations.
While investigators work to establish the exact cause of the accident, authorities continue gathering evidence from the crash site. Further findings are expected once the official investigation progresses.
