Tragic Plane Crash in Peru Claims 13 Lives on Tour Flight

WHO:

CNN - The Italian Foreign Ministry stated that its embassy in Lima was in contact with Peruvian authorities and that the families of the Italian victims have already been notified.

CNN - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences on X, stating, “On behalf of the Italian government and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to their loved ones at this time of immense grief.”

Al Jazeera - The deceased included seven Italian citizens aged between 18 and 54, two Spaniards aged 52, and two Germans aged 77 and 78. The pilot was Americo Salazar and the copilot was Irenka Guanilo del Carpio.

President Keiko Fujimori - Expressed regret over the accident and mentioned a potential "temporary suspension" of the airport.

The Guardian - At least 13 people, including 11 tourists and 2 pilots, died in the crash.

Police Major Jorge Andrade - Provided information about the casualties at the crash site.

Peru’s tourism ministry - Expressed sorrow over the deaths.

WHAT:

CNN - The crew of the Aerodiana plane reported a mechanical problem in flight before losing radio contact, according to Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Rogers Valencia.

CNN - The accident occurred about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Nazca airfield.

Euronews.com - The Cessna Caravan C-208 involved in the incident had taken off at around 12:10 pm local time from Pisco airport for a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines.

Euronews.com - At approximately 1 pm, the crew reported an emergency to the Nazca airfield control tower, after which all radio contact was lost.

ABC News - Sightseeing flights over the attraction from the nearby airport had already been temporarily suspended on Friday due to wind speeds exceeding 40 kilometres per hour.

The Guardian - “Given the severity of the accident, there are no survivors. We have recovered four bodies so far,” Police Major Jorge Andrade stated regarding the crash.

Al Jazeera - The crash site was quickly engulfed in flames, preventing any rescues.

The Guardian - The crash is noted to be part of a history of accidents at the UNESCO world heritage site, with previous incidents including a crash in 2022 that killed seven people, and another in 2010 that resulted in six fatalities.

Al Jazeera - The crash site was quickly engulfed in flames, preventing any rescues.

Al Jazeera - The plane involved was from the Peruvian sightseeing company Aerodiana.

The Guardian - "We have recovered four bodies so far," Police Major Jorge Andrade stated regarding the crash.

The Guardian - The crash is part of a history of accidents at the UNESCO world heritage site, with previous incidents including a crash in 2022 that killed seven people, and another in 2010 that resulted in six fatalities.

The Guardian - The municipality of Nazca stated, “The investigation of the accident and the oversight of aviation operations are the responsibility of the competent authorities, who will determine the causes and assign liability in accordance with the law.”

The Guardian - The crash is noted to be part of a history of accidents at the UNESCO world heritage site, with previous incidents including a crash in 2022 that killed seven people and another in 2010 that resulted in six fatalities.

BBC News - A small plane crashed during a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines.

ABC News World - The plane crashed in a field outside the city of Nazca.

The Guardian - Local authorities confirmed the deaths of 11 tourists and 2 crew members.

The Guardian - The investigation into the crash has been launched by local authorities.

WHERE:

The Guardian - The crash occurred in Pueblo Viejo, approximately 4 miles (6 km) from the city of Nazca and roughly 12 km from the Nazca Lines site.

The Guardian - The plane had departed from the nearby city of Pisco.

WHEN:

The Guardian - The plane departed at about 1pm local time (7pm BST).

WHY:

CNN - Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori stated that “the suspension of the airport is being evaluated,” pending the completion of the investigation and reports from ministers.

The Guardian - The investigation into the crash has been launched by local authorities.

Al Jazeera - Peruvian authorities stated that the crash is under investigation.

The Guardian - There are serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of the aircraft used for overflights of the Nazca Lines.

The Guardian - The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

HOW:

CNN - The Aviation Accident Investigation Commission is analyzing the call regarding the mechanical problem, the plane’s flight path, and mechanical evidence from the wreckage.

The Guardian - The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff, according to local news reports.

Al Jazeera - The plane reportedly departed from Pisco, in the department of Ica.

The Guardian - The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff, according to local news reports.

The Guardian - The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 21:45 UTC)

An Aerodiana plane experienced a mechanical issue mid-flight, leading to a loss of radio contact before crashing approximately 2 kilometers from Nazca airfield. The Italian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it is in touch with Peruvian authorities and has notified the families of the Italian victims, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended her condolences on X, expressing deep sympathy for those affected. Meanwhile, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori announced that the suspension of the airport is under consideration as the Aviation Accident Investigation Commission examines the mechanical problem report, the flight path, and evidence from the wreckage.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 14:24 UTC)

A Cessna Caravan C-208 took off from Pisco airport for a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines, but around 1 PM, the crew reported an emergency to the Nazca airfield control tower before losing all radio contact. Sightseeing flights over the Nazca Lines had already been temporarily suspended earlier that day due to wind speeds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour. The situation is developing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 09:52 UTC)

A tragic plane crash has resulted in the loss of multiple lives, including seven Italian citizens aged between 18 and 54, two Spaniards aged 52, and two Germans aged 77 and 78, with no survivors reported. The aircraft lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff and was quickly engulfed in flames, making any rescue efforts impossible, as confirmed by Police Major Jorge Andrade, who stated that four bodies have been recovered so far. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which is part of a concerning history of accidents at the UNESCO world heritage site, including a crash in 2022 that killed seven people and another in 2010 that resulted in six fatalities.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 07:27 UTC)

A tragic plane crash involving a sightseeing aircraft from the Peruvian company Aerodiana has resulted in the deaths of seven Italian citizens, two Spaniards, and two Germans, with the pilot and copilot also among the deceased. The crash site was quickly engulfed in flames, making any rescue efforts impossible, and Peruvian authorities have announced that an investigation is underway. President Fujimori has expressed her regret over the incident and mentioned the possibility of a temporary suspension of the airport.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 04:24 UTC)

Police Major Jorge Andrade has confirmed that four bodies have been recovered following a plane crash at a UNESCO world heritage site, which has a troubling history of accidents. This latest incident follows a 2022 crash that claimed seven lives and another in 2010 that resulted in six fatalities. Reports indicate that the plane lost contact with the control tower shortly after takeoff.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 23:12 UTC)

The municipality of Nazca has announced that the investigation into the recent crash and the oversight of aviation operations will be handled by the appropriate authorities, who will determine the causes and assign liability according to the law. This incident is part of a troubling history of accidents at the UNESCO world heritage site, which includes a crash in 2022 that claimed seven lives and another in 2010 that resulted in six fatalities. Concerns are mounting regarding the safety and maintenance of the aircraft used for overflights of the Nazca Lines.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 22:15 UTC)

A tragic plane crash during a sightseeing flight over the Nazca Lines has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including 11 tourists and 2 pilots, according to local authorities. The small aircraft, which had taken off from Pisco, lost contact with the control tower shortly after departure and went down in a field near Pueblo Viejo, approximately 4 miles from Nazca. Peru’s tourism ministry has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.