A serious aviation accident occurred on Thursday in a village near Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, when a helicopter belonging to the European Union’s peacekeeping mission, EUFOR, crashed. Four people lost their lives, while 11 others were injured.
The news was confirmed by EUFOR itself in a statement, which said that the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment.
According to EUFOR, the accident caused no damage to civilian infrastructure, property or vehicles, and no civilians were injured.
The crashed helicopter was a CH-47 Chinook belonging to the Italian contingent of the mission.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, also reacted to the accident, expressing her condolences to the victims’ families.
“The news of the tragic crash of the Italian EUFOR helicopter in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a cause of deep sorrow. Our thoughts and hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone who, while serving in the mission for peace and stability in the region, is going through hours of anguish,” Meloni wrote.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also expressed Europe’s solidarity with Italy, stating that the EU was in close contact with the EUFOR commander and its representatives on the ground.
Meanwhile, Brčko Mayor Siniša Milić said local authorities were providing care for the injured and were ready to transfer them to larger clinical centres if necessary.
Police, firefighters and emergency services were dispatched to the scene, while the area was secured.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Defence Minister, Zukan Helez, said that no members of the country’s Armed Forces were involved in the accident.
EUFOR announced that a full investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The European Union mission has been operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2004 under Operation Althea, with the aim of maintaining a safe and stable environment in the country.
