Overview
- A police helicopter from Lima landed Monday in Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas, drawing surprise from crowds outside the Cathedral.
- Gen. Antonio La Madrid, who leads the regional police and was on board, said the crew checked potential emergency landing sites and reported a smooth descent and takeoff.
- The Archdiocese said the operation was a contingency test for the May 1 Virgen de Chapi festivities and that the aircraft will respond to traffic crashes or missing-person reports.
- The police plan starts April 29 with 2,000 officers, one helicopter, and drones to manage about 200,000 pilgrims traveling to the Chapi sanctuary in Polobaya.
- Church leaders ruled out flying the religious image over the city as in the pandemic, and residents voiced safety and coordination concerns after the unusual landing in the historic square.