13 dead after tourist plane crashes in southern Peru

A small tourist plane crashed over the Nazca Lines archaeological site in southern Peru, resulting in 13 deaths, according to Peru's government. The plane, operated by local airline Aerodiana, was carrying 11 foreign tourists and two crew members. The aircraft, a Cessna Caravan C-208, took off from Pisco Airport at around 12:10pm local time, en route to the Nazca Lines site.

Approximately 1:00pm local time, the crew reported an emergency, after which all radio contact with the plane was lost. The aircraft caught fire upon crash, making rescue efforts impossible. Firefighters and municipal police were dispatched to extinguish the fire and conduct initial rescue efforts. The cause of the crash remains unknown as the government is currently investigating the incident.

Aerodiana has stated they will review their flight schedule in line with the directives of the relevant authorities. The Nazca Lines, intricate drawings and geometric figures etched into the desert plains, are a major tourist attraction in Peru, drawing about 100,000 visitors annually. Visitors usually view the lines from small aircraft flying over the site.