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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Spanish Troops Die in Afghan Copter Crash |
| 2005-08-16 |
| KABUL, Afghanistan - A helicopter belonging to the NATO-led international security force crashed in western Afghanistan Tuesday, killing 17 Spanish troops, officials said. A second helicopter also made an emergency landing and an unspecified number of troops on board were believed to be injured, said Maj. Andrew Elmes, a spokeswoman for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul. He said the cause of the crash and the emergency landing — both in the desert south of the western city of Herat — were believed to be mechanical failures. He did not elaborate. |
| Posted by:glenmore |
| #3 Peace upon them and their families. And our thanks. If it had to happen, though, better during a practice run when there were fewer people around. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-08-16 20:07 |
| #2 An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokesperson in Kabul confirmed on Tuesday that Spanish soldiers are amongst those killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Up to 17 Spanish members of the NATO-led international security force in Afghanistan are believed to be dead. The crash happened at 1300 (0900 GMT), 22 kilometres (14 miles) south of the western regional province of Herat. A second helicopter also made an emergency landing according to Major Andy Elmes, a spokesperson for ISAF in Kabul. "The number of killed and wounded is not clear, although we understand that Spanish soldiers were amongst those killed. A rescue operation was launched immediately and is ongoing, moving wounded to the ISAF military hospital in Herat" Elmes said at a media briefing. He said the cause of the crash and the emergency landing were believed to be mechanical failure. He did not elaborate. Afghan army commander Abdul Wahab Walizada, whose troops are providing security in the area, said the two choppers came too close while flying and the rotor blade of one hit the other. "The second helicopter landed heavily. There are survivors from that helicopter," said Maj. Elmes. He said both choppers were on a training mission to support legislative elections next month. |
| Posted by: Steve 2005-08-16 11:20 |
| #1 So does this mean another Spanish withdrawal from the GWOIT? BTW: GWOIT - Global War on Islamist Terrorism |
| Posted by: The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen 2005-08-16 07:56 |