13 killed as tourist plane crashes near Peru's Nazca Lines
At least 13 people were killed after a tourist plane crashed into a field near the Peruvian city of Nazca on Saturday, local authorities said.A National Police spokesperson told reporters at the scene that the victims included 11 passengers, the pilot and a co-pilot or guide. The aircraft was on a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines, one of the Ica region’s best-known tourist attractions, when it crashed. The accident occurred a day after a sandstorm affected the area.Nazca authorities said the plane had departed from the nearby city of Ica and was operated by Peruvian aviation company Aerodiana. According to the airline’s website, it has been offering scenic flights over the Nazca Lines for the past 14 years using Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.Authorities said the aircraft had apparently completed the overflight and was approaching Nazca airport when it lost contact with the control tower. In a statement, Peru’s Ministry for Trade and Tourism said that 11 “foreign tourists” and two crew members were on the plane that crashed Saturday. State news agency Agencia Andina reported that two German, two Spanish and seven Italian tourists were on the plane. Peruvian authorities said the accident is under investigation.
