Tourist plane crash leaves 13 dead near Nazca Lines in Peru

A tragic accident occurred near Peru's iconic Nazca Lines on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 13 people when a small aircraft crashed. The plane was carrying predominantly tourists who were on a sightseeing flight to observe the renowned geoglyphs carved into the desert landscape.

Police confirmed that 11 passengers and two crew members perished in the crash. The incident took place in the southern region of Peru. Local media reports indicated that the aircraft caught fire shortly after the crash, which severely hampered any immediate rescue operations. The plane had reportedly taken off from Pisco, located in the Ica department.

Peru is a major international tourist destination, attracting visitors to its rich heritage sites, including Machu Picchu and Cusco. The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating between 500 BC and 500 AD, are famous for their massive scale and enigmatic designs, which include depictions of animals, plants, and geometric figures. These ancient geoglyphs are best viewed from the air.

The aircraft involved in the crash belonged to the fleet of Peruvian sightseeing operator Aerodiana. As of now, further details regarding the specific cause of the crash have not yet been made available. Investigations into the incident are expected to follow.

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We have information that 11 passengers and two crew members have died.