PERU: A small tourist aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Pisco airport on Sunday, killing all 13 people on board, Peruvian authorities have confirmed.
The plane, which was carrying 11 passengers and two crew members, went down minutes after departing at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time. It was headed to the famed Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient geoglyphs that attract thousands of tourists each year.
Emergency responders rushed to the crash site, but all aboard were pronounced dead upon arrival. Officials have not yet released the nationalities of the victims, though the flight was understood to be operating a sightseeing tour.
“The aircraft lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff. Rescue teams have secured the area, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident,” a spokesperson for Peru’s transport ministry said in a statement.
Aviation authorities have ruled out adverse weather conditions as a primary factor, though they are examining the aircraft’s maintenance records, pilot history, and potential mechanical failures. The wreckage has been cordoned off for forensic analysis.
The Nazca Lines route is a popular but occasionally hazardous corridor for light aircraft, which fly low to give passengers a clear view of the sprawling desert etchings. Fatal crashes involving tourist flights have occurred in the region in past decades, raising periodic safety concerns.
Peru’s president expressed condolences to the victims’ families via social media, pledging full government support for the investigation and repatriation efforts.
