Israeli killed in Peru zip-lining accident to be buried Sunday

An Israeli man who fell to his death while vacationing in Peru is to be laid to rest Sunday at a cemetery in central Israel.

Max Sela, 24, of the central town of Shoham, died Wednesday after falling from a zip-line in the Andes. His remains were expected to arrive in Israel Saturday night, and will be buried Sunday afternoon.

Sela’s family was still waiting for the results of the investigation into his death by Peruvian authorities, Ynet reported.

Sela was recently released from his military service. He went to South America with two close friends, a typical post-army experience for young Israelis.

“He was a charming person, always smiling,” said a friend of the family. “He always looked for the good in everything.”

According to Channel 2, the three arrived in the city of Cusco in Peru after a long tour of the continent. They left for the Cola de Mono zip-lining site, a leading tourist attraction near the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Sela was climbing the ramp when the structure collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Israeli Embassy in Peru coordinated the return of Sela’s remains to Israel.

Sela’s two travel companions were expected to remain in Peru to give their accounts of the incident to local police.