Peru, August 2: A tragic sightseeing flight carrying foreign tourists to Peru’s famed Nazca Lines crashed on Saturday, claiming the lives of 13 people. Senior police official Andrade confirmed from the crash site in southern Peru that 11 passengers and two crew members perished in the incident.
According to Peru’s Transportation Ministry, the foreign victims included seven Italian citizens aged between 18 and 54, two 52-year-old Spaniards, and two German nationals. The Peruvian crew members were identified as pilot Américo Salazar and co-pilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio.
Local accounts indicated that the aircraft, which had departed from Pisco in the department of Ica, was quickly engulfed in flames upon impact. The intensity of the fire prevented immediate rescue and relief operations.
President Keiko Fujimori expressed deep regret over the loss of life and stated that a temporary suspension of the airport operations is under consideration, pending official reports from the relevant ministries. Peruvian civil aviation authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Peru remains a top global tourist destination, welcoming millions of visitors year-round to explore its rich heritage, including the ancient Nazca geoglyphs, the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, and the historic stone structures of Cusco. The Nazca Lines, etched into the southern coastal desert between 500 BC and AD 500, hold UNESCO World Heritage status for their immense cultural and historical value.
