Nasca: DNA tests to identify 11 foreign tourists killed in air crash

Authorities in Peru will conduct DNA tests and other forensic examinations to identify the 13 victims of a tragic small plane crash in Nasca. The accident, involving a tourist flight operated by Aerodiana, occurred last Friday. Among the deceased are 11 foreign tourists, seven from Italy, two from Germany, and two from Spain, along with the Peruvian pilot and co-pilot.

The bodies were transported to the Ica Legal Medicine morgue due to the condition of the aircraft after the impact and subsequent fire. The forensic procedures are crucial to officially confirm the identity of each victim before repatriation processes can begin. Consular representatives from Italy and Germany have arrived in the Ica region to gather information about the incident and offer support to the families of those who perished. They have met with police officials and plan to closely monitor the identification process.

The aircraft, a Cessna Caravan C-208, had departed from Pisco airport for a scenic tour over the Nasca Lines. Around 1:00 p.m., the crew reported an emergency while flying near Socos, in the Pueblo Nuevo district, after which radio contact was lost. The plane crashed in an agricultural field in the Pueblo Viejo sector, igniting upon impact. Emergency services, including firefighters and police, responded but confirmed there were no survivors.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has pledged to facilitate the investigation into the accident's causes. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism are coordinating with the Italian, German, and Spanish embassies to provide assistance to the victims' families. The Nasca Lines are a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert floor.