- A plane carrying European tourists to view the Nazca Lines crashed into a field near Nazca, Peru, on Saturday, killing 13 people, local authorities said.
- Among the dead were seven Italian citizens between the ages of 18 and 54, two 52-year-old Spaniards, and two Germans of 77 and 78 years, according to Peru’s Transportation Ministry.
- The other two fatalities were the pilot Américo Salazar and copilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio, according to an official report.
- President Keiko Fujimori expressed regret and said a “temporary suspension” of the airport was being considered pending reports from the relevant ministries.
A plane carrying European tourists to view the Nazca Lines crashed in Peru on Saturday, resulting in the tragic deaths of 13 individuals.1
The aircraft, operated by Aerodiana, took off from Ica and was en route to the iconic geoglyphs when it went down in a field near Nazca.
Among the deceased were seven Italian citizens aged 18 to 54, two Spaniards aged 52, and two Germans aged 77 and 78. The pilot, Américo Salazar, and copilot, Irenka Guanilo del Carpio, also perished in the crash.23
President Keiko Fujimori expressed her condolences and mentioned that a “temporary suspension” of the airport is under consideration pending reports from relevant ministries.4
The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are ancient geoglyphs that can only be fully appreciated from the air, making this flight particularly significant for tourists.
Peruvian authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, with Aerodiana not immediately available for comment.
The incident raises concerns about aviation safety in the region, especially given the popularity of scenic flights over the Nazca Lines.
“Peru’s Transportation Ministry said the dead included seven Italian citizens aged 18–54, two 52-year-old Spaniards, two Germans aged 77 and 78, plus pilot Américo Salazar and copilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio. Aerodiana, which operated the flight from Ica, said it had offered scenic Nazca Lines flights for 14 years using Cessna Grand Caravan planes.”
The Globe and Mail
