A military helicopter carrying 15 individuals has crashed, prompting a significant search and rescue operation by the Peruvian Air Force. The incident occurred when the Mi-17 helicopter lost contact during its journey from Pisco to Chala in the Arequipa region on Sunday afternoon.
Among the passengers were families, military personnel, and seven children who tragically lost their lives. The Peruvian military initiated the search effort to locate the helicopter and its occupants.
Special forces patrols, along with police officers, were deployed to assist in the search. The helicopter was operated by Major Sergio Paucar Centurión and Luis Huertas Cárcamo, accompanied by sergeants Kamila Anchapuri Jove and Leiner Aguirre Huamán, transporting a total of 11 passengers.
Following an extensive search, the crashed helicopter was discovered near Chala Viejo in the Caravelí province of Arequipa. The helicopter was primarily utilized for search and rescue missions and was also involved in disaster relief efforts in the region.
General Antonio Alfredo Lamadrid Aliaga of the Arequipa Police Region confirmed the tragic outcome, stating that all individuals on board had perished. This incident brings to mind a previous crash in the same region involving an MI-17 helicopter in a gold-rich area known for illegal mining activities.
The MI-17 helicopters, acquired by the Peruvian government between 1990 and 2014, are Russian-made aircraft used for transport and combat purposes.
