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South Sudan army 'shoots down UN helicopter' South Sudan army 'shoots down UN helicopter'
(about 2 hours later)
The United Nations says a helicopter from its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been shot down by the army, killing all four crew members on board. The UN says a helicopter from its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been shot down by the army, killing all four crew, believed to be Russians.
A spokesman said the aircraft was shot down while on a reconnaissance mission in eastern Jonglei state.A spokesman said the aircraft was shot down while on a reconnaissance mission in eastern Jonglei state.
Deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey said South Sudan's military had admitted it had hit the helicopter.Deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey said South Sudan's military had admitted it had hit the helicopter.
However, South Sudan's minister of information told the BBC's that the cause of the incident was not clear. However, South Sudan's minister of information told the BBC that the cause of the incident was not clear.
The UN has been helping those caught up in deadly clashes between rival communities in Jonglei state.The UN has been helping those caught up in deadly clashes between rival communities in Jonglei state.
"Initial reports indicated the UN helicopter crashed and burned. The mission immediately launched a search and recovery mission. It has confirmed the death of all four crew members," the UN spokesman said."Initial reports indicated the UN helicopter crashed and burned. The mission immediately launched a search and recovery mission. It has confirmed the death of all four crew members," the UN spokesman said.
"In subsequent communications between the mission and the South Sudanese armed forces, the SPLA [army] told the mission that it has shot down the helicopter in the Likuangole area in Jonglei state.""In subsequent communications between the mission and the South Sudanese armed forces, the SPLA [army] told the mission that it has shot down the helicopter in the Likuangole area in Jonglei state."
But South Sudan Minister of Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "There is no proof it was shot down." 'Rebel activity'
"It is being investigated," he said. But South Sudan Minister of Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "There is no proof it was shot down. It is being investigated.
"It was flying in an area where there is a lot of rebel activity.""It was flying in an area where there is a lot of rebel activity."
The helicopter was identified both by UN and Russian sources as a Russian-built Mi 8 - a twin-turbine helicopter commonly used as a transport.
All four crew members were Russians, Moscow news agencies report, quoting Russian diplomats in South Sudan.
They also spoke of a fifth victim, who was not Russian but whose nationality was not given.
South Sudan accuses Sudan of backing rebel groups on its territory - charges denied by Khartoum.South Sudan accuses Sudan of backing rebel groups on its territory - charges denied by Khartoum.
Relations have been tense between the two countries since the South seceded in 2011.Relations have been tense between the two countries since the South seceded in 2011.