LIMA, Peru — A small tourist plane crashed as it flew over the Nazca Lines archaeological site in southern Peru on Saturday, killing 13 people, authorities in Nazca province said.
Peru’s Ministry of Commerce and Tourism said in a statement that the plane was carrying 11 foreign tourists and two crew members. The passengers were Italian, German and Spanish, Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications said.
Local authorities said the plane crashed in the area of Pueblo Viejo, about four miles from the city of Nazca and roughly seven miles from the Nazca Lines site.
The small plane belonged to the local Peruvian airline Aerodiana, local authorities said, and had taken off from the Pisco Airport.
In a statement, Aerodiana extended its “most sincere condolences and solidarity to the families and loved ones of those who have passed away” and said it was cooperating with authorities.
“Throughout our 18 years of operation, we have maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety of our passengers and crews,” the company said. “For this reason, this incident affects us deeply and reaffirms our willingness to cooperate fully and responsibly with whatever is required by the authorities.”
The accident occurred while the plane was conducting a sightseeing flight and preparing to begin its return journey, according to police reports to local press.
The Cessna Caravan C-208 aircraft took off from Pisco Airport at 12:10 p.m., the Ministry of Transport and Communications said. The crew reported an emergency to Nasca Airport’s control tower at 1 p.m. while the plane was flying over the vicinity of the town of Socos before all radio contact was lost, it said.
After crashing, the plane caught fire, making any rescue impossible, according to Peruvian broadcaster RPP. Firefighters and municipal police officers were dispatched to extinguish the fire and carry out initial rescue efforts.
The cause of the crash is unknown, and local authorities said they will investigate.
Video shared on social media showed the smoking wreckage of what appeared to be a small plane on arid plains. Reuters was unable to independently verify the video.
The Nazca Lines, enormous drawings and geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately 100,000 annual visitors. Visitors typically view them from small aircraft flying over the site.
Flights over the Nazca Lines departing from the nearby Maria Reiche Airport had been suspended on Friday due to winds exceeding 25 mph, which kicked up dust and reduced visibility.
The strong winds forced a small plane carrying two Peruvian tourists and another aircraft carrying six foreign visitors to divert to the Marcona Airport, according to local media.
Aerodiana said it will evaluate its flight schedule “in accordance with the directives of the relevant authorities.”
