Helicopter crashes in Peru, 13 feared dead

LIMA – A helicopter with 13 people aboard, headed to a Perenco oil production facility, crashed into a jungle in northeastern Peru Sunday, and there were no signs of survivors, the company said.

“The (Peruvian) armed forces are in the area of the events, and two additional helicopters are taking part in the search and rescue operation. So far, no survivors have been found,” said a statement released in Lima from the Anglo-French firm.

The ill-fated chopper was carrying a four-member flight crew and nine oil workers, the company said, noting that all 13 were Peruvian.

The Russian-made MI-8 plummeted to ground near the Curaray and Arabela Rivers in Loreto, local media reported.