UN helicopter crashes in South Sudan

Three crew from a helicopter of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have died Tuesday after crashing the helicopter. As reported by the organization in a statement, a fourth person has also been injured in the incident. This occurred 10 kilometers south of the town of Bentiu, the capital of the oil region of Unity. Although troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar opponents signed a truce in May, Agence France Presse notes that the helicopter flew over an area where there are regularly reports of fighting.

The company that owns the helicopter, the Russian UTair said the Mi-8 leased to United Nations was shot down. “According to preliminary information, the helicopter was shot down by a surface to air missile three kilometers from the destination airport,” the airline said.

” The crew member who survived being treated by a team of Doctors Without Borders ” has detailed United Nations, who explained that the helicopter covering a routine cargo flight between the towns of Wau and Bentiu. The UN, which has launched an investigation to determine the causes of the incident, has lost contact with the aircraft at 14.28 (local time).

“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to the injured crew member,” said the officer in charge of UNMISS, Toby Lanzer.

The UN mission established in South Sudan after the declaration of independence in July 2011 Members of the UN moved to the area trying to protect civilians after December 2013 broke out in a conflict that pits troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar opponents. The two sides signed a truce last May, although both sides have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire. The fighting has left at least 10,000 dead. UNMISS has in the area with a strength of 12,500 military personnel and 1,300 police officers.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=47957

Posted by Nadeem Bajwa on Aug 27 2014. Filed under World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.