Incan city of Machu Picchu, Peru
Incan city of Machu Picchu, PeruYossi Zamir/Flash 90

The tragic death of 24 year-old Israeli Max Sela in Peru last week may have been due to negligence, his family stated Sunday. 

The young Israeli was apparently gliding on an “omega” air glider at high speeds in the Machu Picchu region of Peru, when he either fell or the secure harness he was wearing came loose. The area is known for its popularity with hikers and adventurers. 

But, in the days after the tragedy, the Sela family has raised concerns that the incident was not a freak accident or a fluke, but the result of incompetence by the operators of the Omega facility. 

"It's hard to think there's no guarantee that someone will take responsibility for what happened," Michael, Sela's uncle, stated to IDF Radio

According to Michael, Max was a responsible person who did not take risks.

"I believe this is a very serious malfunction on the part of the facility and not [the result of] something that Max did," he said, "[Max] was a man who knew how to take care of himself." 

"Max is a great guy and intelligent, he did military service including an officers' course," he added. "He went on a trip like all young people do [after the IDF - a very common post-army 'gap year' - ed.] and unfortunately he came back in a coffin instead of with a smile."

"Right now all of us are dealing only with the loss, I guess after that there is time for an investigation."

Sela's funeral will be held at 4:00 pm IST at the Shoham synagogue and he will be laid to rest at the Shoham cemetery at 4:30pm.