Fifteen people have lost their lives after a military helicopter engaged in rescue operations during severe flooding in southern peru went down on sunday.
the peruvian air force confirmed that the mi-17 aircraft lost communication while flying over the arequipa region, an area battered by heavy rains and flash floods.
search teams located the wreckage on monday in the chala district. among the victims were seven children. in total, 11 passengers and four crew members died in the crash.
the helicopter had been assigned to assist ongoing search and rescue efforts as mudslides and swollen rivers caused widespread destruction across the region.
reports indicate that some military personnel on board were accompanied by family members. one of the victims was just three years old.
in a statement, the peruvian air force expressed deep sorrow, extending condolences to the families, friends and the wider air force community for what it described as an irreparable loss.
the aircraft had departed from pisco in the ica region and was headed to chala in arequipa for an operational support mission. it was eventually discovered near chala viejo, a coastal town along the pacific.
authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
meanwhile, relentless rainfall continues to wreak havoc across arequipa. flooding has submerged streets and homes, triggered mudslides and uprooted trees.
local media report that at least two additional deaths have been linked to the storm. an elderly woman was swept away by floodwaters in cayma district, while a man reportedly died after being struck by lightning.
arequipa’s regional governor, rohel sánchez, says the scale of destruction has forced authorities to seek urgent support from the national government, with several homes declared unsafe for habitation.
videos circulating online show torrents of mud and debris rushing through neighbourhoods, with floodwaters invading residential properties.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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