Four die as UN helicopter shot down
South Sudan’s armed forces shot down a UN helicopter today and all four crew on board died, the United Nations said.
UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey said the helicopter from the UN mission in South Sudan was on a reconnaissance mission when it was shot down.
“In subsequent communications between the mission and the South Sudanese Armed Forces, the SPLA told the mission that it has shot down the helicopter in the Likuangole area in Jonglei state,” he said. The SPLA is South Sudan’s army.
He added: “Initial reports indicate that the UN helicopter crashed and burned.”
The UN mission immediately launched a search mission, and “it has confirmed the death of all four crew members,” he said.
The mission is investigating.
Earlier, the mission had said the Russian-built Mi-8 helicopter was not carrying any passengers.
