A Russian-made Mi-17 military helicopter crashed in the Arequipa region of Peru, resulting in the deaths of all fifteen individuals on board, including four crew members and eleven passengers. Seven of the passengers were minors. The helicopter had been reported missing on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2026, after departing from Pisco in the Ica region and heading towards Chala in Arequipa, a journey of approximately 1,100 km south of Lima. Search operations, involving special forces and police patrols, located the crashed aircraft in Chala, confirming the fatalities.