A Peruvian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter crashed in the Arequipa region on Sunday, killing all 15 people on board, including seven children. The aircraft lost contact around 4:30pm local time while travelling from Pisco to Chala.
The helicopter was carrying four military crew members and 11 passengers, among them families with children. The crew were identified as Major Sergio Paucar Centurión, Luis Huertas Cárcamo, and sergeants Kamila Anchapuri Jove and Leiner Aguirre Huamán.
Search and rescue operations were launched immediately, involving rapid response aircraft, ground special forces, and police. The wreckage was located on Monday near the town of Chala Viejo, in the Caravelí province.
General Antonio Alfredo Lamadrid Aliaga, head of the Arequipa Police Region, confirmed the discovery and that all occupants had died. Forensic teams have been deployed to recover the bodies.
The Mi-17, a Russian-made medium transport helicopter, had been used for search and rescue missions and support for flood-affected communities. It was also scheduled to participate in a parachute training course for cadets.
