Peru Halts Sightseeing Flights Following Tragic Crash at Nazca Lines
Immediate Aftermath and Casualties
Qwenews.com – Peru’s transportation authorities have ordered a temporary suspension of Aerodiana’s operations after a small aircraft carrying tourists crashed in the Ica region on Saturday. The devastating accident claimed the lives of thirteen people, including eleven visitors from Europe and two local crew members. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the airline must ground all flights “until investigations are completed to verify the company’s compliance with the applicable aviation regulations, procedures and operating requirements.” Officials announced this decision on Sunday. The victims consisted of seven Italian nationals, two German travelers, and two Spanish tourists. Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Rogers Valencia confirmed the nationalities at the crash site, noting that Italian and German consular representatives had already arrived to assist.
Details of the Flight and Emergency
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, capable of transporting twelve passengers, departed from Pisco Airport for a scenic tour over the famous Nazca Lines archaeological complex. The incident occurred approximately two kilometers from the Nazca airfield around 1 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Before losing radio contact, the flight crew transmitted a message indicating mechanical difficulties with the aircraft. Valencia explained to reporters that “There was a call from the aircraft indicating that it was experiencing mechanical problems.” The UNESCO World Heritage site contains ancient geoglyphs depicting animals and geometric patterns, best appreciated from aerial viewpoints. Passengers aboard were en route to observe these desert markings when the emergency unfolded.
Investigation and Official Responses
The Aviation Accident Investigation Commission is currently examining multiple factors related to the tragedy. Minister Valencia stated that investigators are analyzing the emergency radio transmission, the aircraft’s trajectory, and mechanical components recovered from the wreckage. However, officials have not yet confirmed whether the reported mechanical issue directly caused the crash. Valencia emphasized that “There will be immediate results, and the process of assessing the condition of the wreckage will provide an in-depth understanding of the cause” of the accident. Pisco Airport, the departure point for the fatal flight, remains fully operational. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori told journalists that authorities are evaluating whether to suspend operations at the airport, though she expressed a preference to wait for the investigation to conclude and for ministerial reports to be submitted.
International Reactions and Historical Context
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement on social media platform X: “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.” The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed that its embassy in Lima is coordinating with Peruvian authorities and that families of the Italian victims have been informed. This tragedy adds to a history of accidents involving sightseeing flights in the region. Reuters reported that a 2022 crash near the Nazca Lines killed five tourists and two Peruvian crew members. Additionally, a 2010 incident resulted in the deaths of four British visitors and two local crew members when their light aircraft went down.
Aerodiana’s Statement
In a statement released prior to the operational suspension, Aerodiana expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and pledged full cooperation. The airline noted that “Throughout our 18 years of operation, we have maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety of our passengers and crews.” The company added that “this incident affects us deeply and reaffirms our willingness to cooperate with full accountability in whatever is required by the authorities.” Valencia mentioned that determining the extent of liability remains a priority for Peruvian officials.
“There was a call from the aircraft indicating that it was experiencing mechanical problems,” Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Rogers Valencia told reporters at the crash site near the Nazca Lines.
“There will be immediate results, and the process of assessing the condition of the wreckage will provide an in-depth understanding of the cause” of the accident, Valencia added.
“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.” — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
“Aerodiana said it extended its condolences to the victims’ families and is ‘fully prepared to provide the necessary support.’ ‘Throughout our 18 years of operation, we have maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety of our passengers and crews. Therefore, this incident affects us deeply and reaffirms our willingness to cooperate with full accountability in whatever is required by the authorities,’ the airline said.”
Valencia said Pisco Airport, from where the Aerodiana flight took off, is “fully operational” and that “we need to determine the extent of liability” in the crash.
Asked about a possible suspension of operations at Pisco Airport, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori told reporters that “the suspension of the airport is being evaluated,” but added that she wanted to wait until the investigation was complete and ministers had submitted their reports.
The ministry earlier said the pilots of the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, which can carry 12 passengers, notified the control tower at Nazca airfield of the emergency, in the aircraft’s final radio transmission.
According to the ministry, the accident occurred around 1 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET), about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Nazca airfield, after the plane took off from Pisco Airport for a flight over the Nazca Lines.
CNN’s Mauricio Torres contributed to this report. With information from Spanish international news agency EFE.
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