KABUL: At least 13 people were killed after a sightseeing plane crashed near the city of Nazca in southern Peru.
According to Peruvian police, the small aircraft, which was conducting a tourist flight over the famous Nazca Lines, crashed on Saturday in the Pueblo Viejo area near Nazca.
Authorities said the plane took off from the nearby city of Pisco at around 1:00 p.m. local time and lost contact with air traffic control a few minutes later, and crashed about 20 minutes after takeoff, approximately six kilometers from Nazca.
Officials said all 13 people on board were killed, including 11 passengers and two crew members. The passengers included seven Italians, two Germans reported to be traveling as a couple, and two Spanish nationals.
The pilot and co-pilot were identified as Americo Salazar Cuellar and Irenka del Carpio.
The Nazca Lines are among Peru’s most important archaeological and tourist attractions and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.