Peru crash victims fully identified
Peruvian officials confirmed identification of all thirteen victims of a plane crash near the Nazca Lines. The small Aerodiana aircraft was on a sightseeing flight over ancient geoglyphs. The Cessna Grand Caravan departed from Pisco airport, carrying eleven foreign tourists and two Peruvian crew. Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported an in-flight emergency before losing contact. The aircraft crashed in the Pueblo Viejo area, six kilometers from Nazca and nineteen kilometers from the Nazca Lines site. Eyewitnesses reported the plane exploded on impact, leaving no survivors. Rescue teams recovered the remains of all thirteen individuals at the scene. The Ministry of Transport confirmed the tourists' nationalities: seven Italian, two German, and two Spanish. The two Peruvian crew were identified as pilot Americo Salazar Cuellar and co-pilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio. Peru's civil aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary information suggests an in-flight emergency, with strong winds and dust on the preceding day raising questions about environmental factors. The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are ancient geoglyphs and a major tourist attraction, best seen from the air. The region has a history of aviation incidents involving tourist flights. This tragedy, one of the deadliest in recent years, draws scrutiny to aviation safety protocols for scenic tours. Authorities are committed to a thorough inquiry to prevent future occurrences and ensure visitor safety at this iconic site. The identification of all victims brings closure to the families affected by this devastating event.
