A Peruvian military helicopter crashed in the Arequipa region, killing all 15 people on board, including seven children, authorities confirmed Monday.
The aircraft, a Russian-made MI-17 helicopter operated by the Peruvian Air Force, lost radio contact Sunday afternoon while flying from Pisco to Chala in southern Peru. Officials said the helicopter disappeared from radar around 4:30 p.m. local time, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation.
In a statement, the Peruvian Air Force said special forces patrols, working alongside the National Police, located the wreckage on Monday, February 23. The helicopter was found near the town of Chala Viejo in the Caravelí province of the Arequipa region.
Military officials confirmed that all crew members and passengers were found dead at the crash site. General Antonio Alfredo Lamadrid Aliaga, head of police in the Arequipa region, said criminal investigation teams and forensic units have been deployed to recover the bodies and begin a formal investigation.
According to authorities, the MI-17 helicopter had been used for search and rescue missions, including providing assistance to communities affected by floods and other natural disasters in Arequipa. It was also scheduled to participate in a parachute training course for cadets from the Peruvian Air Force Academy.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and an official investigation is underway. The tragedy marks one of the deadliest military aviation accidents in Peru in recent years, raising questions about flight safety and operational conditions.
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