Overloaded Army Helicopter Crashes Killing Soldiers

Story By: Ana LacasaSub-EditorJoseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN

This is the moment an ‘overloaded’ Peruvian Army helicopter crashes upon landing, killing two servicemen and injuring four others.

The accident took place in the Amazon rain forest in the northern Peruvian province of Condorcanqui while the army was reportedly clearing mines in the area.

The footage recently surfaced on social media and subsequently made the headlines in Latin America.

In the video, the helicopter appears to topple to one side as it is just about to land – reportedly because it was overloaded.

According to local media, one officer’s body was severely burned and needed to be airlifted for emergency treatment.

Meanwhile, the two dead servicemen have been identified as Aldo Castillo Morales and Richard Aucapoma.

The public prosecutor’s office said that the helicopter crashed due to being overloaded, which was also confirmed by surviving servicemen and a preliminary police investigation, according to reports.

However, a full-scale investigation into the accident is currently ongoing.

Army General Jorge Celiz Kuong has already been to visit the injured soldiers in hospital.

According to a Peruvian Army statement, the servicemen were clearing mines in the region during an operation previously agreed and coordinated by the authorities in Peru and Ecuador.

Picture Credit: CEN