Thirteen dead as plane crashes near Peru’s famous Nazca Lines archaeological site

A small aircraft has crashed in Peru with 13 people on board, according to reports from the South American nation. The plane lost contact with air traffic control just minutes after departing from the airport whilst en route to the Nazca Lines, one of the world’s most renowned archaeological sites.
The Nazca Lines are a series of enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor in southern Peru, depicting various animals and geometric shapes. Created by the ancient Nazca culture between roughly 500 BCE and 500 CE, the mysterious drawings can only be properly appreciated from the air, making the region a popular destination for aerial sightseeing tours. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are still being investigated by Peruvian authorities. Small aircraft operating sightseeing flights over the Nazca Lines are relatively common, though accidents involving such tours have raised safety concerns in the past. The exact cause of the loss of contact remains unclear at this stage.
This incident marks a tragic development for the region, which relies heavily on tourism centred around the ancient archaeological wonder. Authorities have launched an investigation into what led to the aircraft losing contact during what should have been a routine sightseeing flight.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.