Peru, August 2: A sightseeing flight carrying foreign tourists to Peru’s famous Nazca Lines crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 13 people on board. Police Major Jorge Andrade confirmed from the crash site in southern Peru that 11 passengers and two crew members lost their lives in the accident.
Peruvian authorities noted that the deceased passengers included seven Italian nationals between 18 and 54 years old, two 52-year-old Spanish citizens, and two German visitors. The flight crew was identified as pilot Américo Salazar and co-pilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio.
The aircraft had departed from Pisco in the department of Ica before encountering trouble. Local reports indicated that the crash site was quickly engulfed in flames upon impact, which prevented immediate emergency rescue efforts.
President Keiko Fujimori expressed deep regret over the tragic event and stated that a temporary suspension of airport operations is being considered while official evaluations are conducted by relevant ministries. Transport officials affirmed that a comprehensive inquiry into the cause of the disaster is currently underway.
The Nazca Lines, located in the desert region along the Andean mountain range, remain a globally renowned attraction featuring ancient monumental geoglyphs carved into the ground between 500 BC and AD 500. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the location draws tens of thousands of international travelers annually, contributing to Peru’s vibrant tourism sector alongside major historical destinations such as Machu Picchu and Cusco.
