A small dog was the only survivor of a Peruvian military helicopter crash that killed 15 people, including seven children, in the Arequipa region.

LIMA: A small dog was the only survivor of a military helicopter crash in southern Peru that killed 15 people, an air force source said.

The caramel-coloured pet was found among the wreckage of the Mi-17 helicopter that crashed on Sunday.

It was lying next to the body of its owner, Colonel Javier Nole, 50, who was on board with his wife and two daughters.

“It’s Colonel Nole’s pet; it’s the only survivor,” the source, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

Local media reported the dog appeared OK but was taken to a veterinary clinic as a precaution.

Seven children were among the 15 fatalities when the Russian-made aircraft crashed in the Arequipa region.

The helicopter had been recently deployed in flood rescue operations in the area.

It had taken off from the city of Pisco in the Ica region before crashing near Chala Viejo, a town close to the Pacific coast.

Rescuers located the wreckage on Monday just over 300 kilometres away from its departure point.

The air force has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

 The Sun Malaysia