A small tourist plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Pisco Airport on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of all 13 individuals on board. The aircraft, operated by AeroDiana, was carrying foreign tourists intending to view Peru's famous Nazca Lines from the air. The crash occurred around 1:00 pm local time.
Police Major Jorge Andrade confirmed the fatalities, stating that there were 11 passengers and two crew members on the plane. As of now, no survivors have been found, and four bodies have been recovered. The cause of the crash remains undetermined, with Peru's civil aviation authority set to investigate.
The wreckage was located near Vista Alegre, and preliminary reports suggest an in-flight emergency might have been the cause. Local authorities, including firefighters and police, are on-site collecting evidence. The foreign trade ministry has pledged to assist the embassies of the affected countries.
The Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert sands, are a major attraction for tourists worldwide. The site, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, features geometric shapes and animal outlines whose purposes remain largely unknown. AeroDiana offers short flights over the site, making it a popular choice for tourists.
This tragic incident is not the first involving aircraft near the Nazca Lines. In 2022, seven people were killed in a similar crash, and in 2010, six people died when another plane crashed after a sightseeing tour. The Peruvian aviation authority continues to monitor safety measures to prevent future accidents.
