Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Thirteen people, including two pilots, were killed after a small tourist plane crashed on Saturday while flying over the Nazca Lines archaeological site in southern Peru, authorities in Nazca province said.
According to Peruvian state broadcaster TVPeru, the aircraft was carrying 11 passengers and two pilots. The plane crashed in the Pueblo Viejo area, around six kilometres from the city of Nazca and about 12 kilometres from the Nazca Lines.
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Local authorities said the aircraft belonged to Peruvian airline Aerodiana. The airline was not immediately available for comment.
The flight had departed from Pisco Airport for a sightseeing tour over the Nazca Lines but lost contact with the control tower within minutes of take-off, local news outlet RPP reported.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash and said an investigation has been launched.
Videos shared on social media showed smoking wreckage scattered across an arid plain. The footage could not be independently verified.
The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site featuring massive ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert, attract around 100,000 visitors every year. Most tourists view the site from small sightseeing aircraft.
A day before the crash, sightseeing flights departing from the nearby Maria Reiche Airport had been suspended because of strong winds exceeding 40 kmph, which reduced visibility by kicking up dust. Local media reported that two aircraft carrying tourists were diverted to Marcona Airport due to the adverse weather.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
