Italian military helicopter crash kills five
26/04/2005 - 18:17:56An Italian Air Force helicopter crashed today in the country’s northern Alpine region, killing five military personnel aboard, the Defence Ministry said.
A sixth crew member escaped without injuries, ministry spokesman Massimo Giannavola said.
The Agusta-Bell AB-212 helicopter came down on the Palanzone peak, close to the town of Erba near Lake Como, Italian news agencies said.
It belonged to an Air Force unit specialised in civilian rescue operations, but there was no immediate word on its mission at the time of the crash.
The Air Force said it opened an investigation into the cause of the crash.
