13 Die in Tourist Plane Crash Over Peru’s Nazca Lines

A tourist aircraft crashed into a field near the city of Ica, Peru, killing at least 13 people, local authorities reported. The plane, which had departed from Ica, was on a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines when the accident occurred. The Nazca municipal government confirmed that the aircraft was carrying visitors for a tour of the geoglyphs that cover the desert around Nazca.

The Nazca Lines are a series of large, ancient geometric and animal-shaped figures etched into the earth, visible only from the air or high viewing platforms. They are a major attraction for tourists and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The crash has prompted an investigation by Peruvian aviation authorities, who are examining the aircraft’s maintenance records, flight path, and possible mechanical or pilot errors that could have contributed to the incident.

Authorities are conducting a search and rescue operation in the surrounding area, while the Peruvian government has called for a thorough review of safety protocols for tourist flights over the Nazca region. The tragedy underscores the risks associated with aerial tours of remote archaeological sites, and the investigation will likely focus on ensuring stricter safety measures for future operations.