Kathmandu— On Saturday, a small tourist plane carrying visitors to see the Nazca Lines archaeological site in southern Peru crashed, killing all 13 people aboard. Police Major Jorge Andrade confirmed that four bodies had been recovered and there were no survivors. The aircraft operated by local Peruvian company Aerodiana lost contact with air traffic control shortly after taking off from Pisco Airport.

Fatalities and Nationalities

Local news reports indicate that seven Italians, two Germans, and two Spaniards were among the victims. However, there has been no official confirmation of these nationalities by Peruvian authorities. The crash site is located near Pueblo Viejo, approximately six kilometers from Nazca city and 12 kilometers away from the famous geoglyphs.

Investigation Underway

Peruvian officials are currently investigating the cause of the accident. Aerodiana, which has been providing scenic flights over the Nazca Lines for nearly a decade and a half, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The company’s website highlights its long-standing operation in offering aerial tours of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historical Context

The crash is part of a troubling pattern involving tourist planes near the Nazca Lines. In 2022, another incident killed seven people, including two Chileans and three Dutch nationals. A similar tragedy occurred in 2010 when four British tourists and two Peruvian crew members lost their lives. These events raise serious concerns about safety measures for aerial tours over this unique archaeological site.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.