A sightseeing flight over Peru's historic Nazca Lines ended in tragedy on Saturday when a small aircraft crashed, killing all 13 people on board. The victims included 11 tourists and two Peruvian crew members. Among those who lost their lives were two Spanish citizens, identified as a 52-year-old married couple from the town of Arroyo de la Encomienda in Valladolid. Seven Italian nationals and two German citizens were also among the passengers who perished in the accident.
The Cessna Grand Caravan, operated by the local airline Aerodiana, had departed from Pisco airport around midday for a routine tour of the ancient geoglyphs. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the crew reported an emergency to the control tower before radio contact was lost. The aircraft subsequently crashed in the Pueblo Viejo area, roughly six kilometers from the city of Nazca. Emergency responders arriving at the scene confirmed that there were no survivors.
Peruvian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. While the specific circumstances remain under review, the incident has prompted discussions regarding the safety of the popular aerial tours. President Keiko Fujimori expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and indicated that the government is considering a temporary suspension of airport operations pending further reports from relevant ministries.
The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are a series of massive ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert floor that are best viewed from the air. These scenic flights are a major tourist attraction in Peru, drawing thousands of visitors annually. However, the industry has faced scrutiny following previous fatal accidents in the region, including incidents in 2010 and 2022. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the families of the deceased couple.