13 dead as plane carrying European tourists crashes in Peru

NewsPolice inspect the wreckage of a plane that crashed during a sightseeing flight carrying tourists over the Nazca Lines in Peru, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Genry Bautista)AP Photo/Genry BautistaA plane carrying European tourists to view the famed Nazca Lines in Peru crashed into a field Saturday, killing 13 people.Nazca’s municipal government, per The Associated Press, said the plane departed from the nearby city of Ica and was operated by Peruvian company Aerodiana. According to the report, among the dead were seven Italian citizens between the ages of 18 and 54, two 52-year-old Spaniards and two Germans of 77 and 78 years, Peru’s Transportation Ministry said. The other two fatalities were the pilot Américo Salazar and copilot Irenka Guanilo del Carpio, it said in an official report.President Keiko Fujimori expressed regret over the accident and said a “temporary suspension” of the airport was being considered, though the decision will be made once she receives reports from the relevant ministries.Peruvian authorities said the accident is under investigation. Aerodiana was not immediately available for comment.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Mark Heim is a senior writer who provides sports, news and trending content. He co-hosts a daily sports radio show on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile. Heim has been recognized with awards for his writing, headlines and...