Plane crash over Peru’s Nazca Lines kills 13 tourists

13 people died when a small tourist aircraft crashed over the Nazca Lines archaeological site in southern Peru on Saturday. The aircraft, carrying eleven foreign tourists and two pilots, went down roughly 200 metres above the world‑heritage geoglyphs, killing everyone on board.

The cause of the accident has not been established and investigators are probing whether a mechanical failure or pilot error contributed to the crash. Officials say the identities of the passengers remain unconfirmed, with many reports coming from family members in different countries.

The Nazca Lines, a series of enormous figures etched into the desert floor, attract more than 30,000 visitors a year. They have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are a major cultural attraction for Peru.

Authorities have called for a thorough inquiry into the safety protocols for tourist flights operating near the site. “We are working to understand the circumstances that led to this tragedy,” a spokesperson for Peru’s aviation authority said.

Further details will be added as the investigation unfolds. Follow updates on the BBC News App or at @BBCBreaking for the latest alerts.