Peru plane crash sees multiple people dead as airport ‘suspension’ considered
A “temporary suspension” of an airport in South America is now being being considered after a plane carrying European tourists crashed and caught fire in horror scenes in Peru
A plane carrying European tourists crashed while flying over Peru(Image: Victor Quilca/EPA/Shutterstock)
Multiple people have dead after a plane crashed on the way to seen a major landmark in South America. The plane, which was carrying European tourists, was on its way to view the famed Nazca Lines in Peru.
However, tragedy struck as the plane suddenly crashed into a field outside the Peruvian city of Nazca, killing 13 people, local authorities have confirmed.
The plane took off from Pisco airport before reportedly suffering an unknown emergency as it made its way to Nazca Lines. Nazca’s municipal government said the plane departed from the nearby city of Ica and was operated by Peruvian company Aerodiana.
Officials are now considering an airport ‘suspension’(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Nazca Lines are a group of extensive geoglyphs scraped into the desert around Nazca hundreds of years ago by Peru’s indigenous inhabitants. The lines form images of animals that can only be fully appreciated from planes or viewing towers.
Among the dead were seven Italian citizens between the ages of 18 and 54, two 52-year-old Spaniards and two Germans aged 77 and 78, Peru’s Transportation Ministry said.
The other two fatalities were the pilot Americo Salazar and co-pilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio, it said in an official report.
Officials confirmed that most of passengers killed were Italian nationals (Image: Victor Quilca/EPA/Shutterstock)
President Keiko Fujimori expressed regret over the accident and said a “temporary suspension” of Pisco airport was being considered, though the decision will be made once she receives reports from the relevant ministries.
She said: “First, I deeply regret this accident. The Minister of Transport is conducting the corresponding investigation, and the Foreign Minister is informing the consulates of the foreign citizens who lost their lives.”
Peruvian authorities said the accident is under investigation.
On its website, airline Aerodiana said that it has offered scenic flights over the Nazca Lines for the past 14 years using Cessna Grand Caravan planes.
Aerodiana was not immediately available for comment.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
