Credited from: ALJAZEERA
A small tourist plane crashed on Saturday near the Nazca Lines in southern Peru, resulting in the tragic deaths of all 13 people on board, including 11 passengers and two pilots. The plane departed from Ica and was operated by the Peruvian airline Aerodiana, known for scenic flights over the famous geoglyphs recognized by UNESCO, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Authorities reported that the crash occurred approximately six kilometers from Nazca city, shortly after the plane lost contact with the control tower while approaching for landing. Preliminary investigations suggested that the weather conditions, including significant winds, may have played a role, as flights over the Nazca Lines had been suspended due to dust and reduced visibility the previous day, according to BBC and India Times.
The victims included seven Italian citizens, two Spanish nationals, and two Germans, according to reports from the Peruvian government, highlighting the international scope of this tragedy. Peruvian officials have expressed profound sorrow, and an investigation into the crash has been initiated, as similar incidents have occurred in the past, with the most recent being a crash in 2022, noted by Los Angeles Times and BBC.