13 dead after tourist plane crashes in southern Peru

A small tourist plane crashed as it flew over the Nazca Lines archaeological site ⁠in southern Peru, killing 13 people, Peru's government said.

Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a statement that the plane was carrying 11 foreign tourists - German, Italian and Spanish visitors - and two crew members.

The ministry said the plane crashed in the area of Socos, approximately 6km from the city of Nazca and roughly 19km from the Nazca Lines site.

The small plane, a Cessna Caravan C-208 aircraft, belonged to the local Peruvian airline Aerodiana and had taken ‌off from the Pisco Airport ⁠at roughly 12.10pm local time (4.10pm Irish time).

At approximately 1pm local time the crew reported an emergency situation to the control tower at Nazca airport, after which all radio contact was lost, the ministry said in a statement.

After crashing, the plane caught fire, making any rescue impossible, according to Peruvian broadcaster RPP. ‌

Firefighters and municipal police officers were dispatched to extinguish the fire and carry out initial rescue efforts.

The cause of the crash is unknown ⁠and the government ‌said it is investigating the incident.

Aerodiana said in a statement that it "will assess its flight schedule in accordance with the directives of the relevant authorities".

The Nazca Lines, enormous drawings and geometric figures etched into desert plains in the ⁠south of the country, are one of Peru's main tourist destinations, attracting approximately 100,000 annual visitors.

Visitors ⁠typically view them from small aircraft flying over the site.