According to the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru (CCFFAA), at least five Peruvian servicemen died in a helicopter crash in the country's Department of Cusco.

According to a CCFFAA statement released on Twitter, the accident occurred on Saturday morning while the helicopter, carrying a total of 12 servicemen, was conducting a reconnaissance operation against illegal drug trafficking.

"The Joint Command of the Armed Forces deeply regrets the death of the courageous members of the Armed Forces and expresses its deepest condolences to their families," the statement says, listing the names of the five soldiers who died in the accident.

Another two servicemen are being sought, according to CCFFAA, while five others have been rescued.

According to the CCFFAA, the accident was caused by a mechanical malfunction, which caused the helicopter to crash into the Vilcanota River.