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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| UK helicopter in fatal Afghanistan crash | UK helicopter in fatal Afghanistan crash |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Five Nato troops have been killed after a UK helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | Five Nato troops have been killed after a UK helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| Officials have not confirmed the nationalities of those on board, but it is believed they are British. | Officials have not confirmed the nationalities of those on board, but it is believed they are British. |
| The MoD said the crash is under investigation, but said enemy action is not believed to be the cause. | The MoD said the crash is under investigation, but said enemy action is not believed to be the cause. |
| It is the first fatal accident involving a UK military helicopter in Afghanistan since the conflict began. | It is the first fatal accident involving a UK military helicopter in Afghanistan since the conflict began. |
| The crash happened near Kandahar air base, in Kandahar province. | |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We can confirm that a UK helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today. | A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We can confirm that a UK helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today. |
| "The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified." | "The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified." |
| BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said it is understood the helicopter was a Lynx. | BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said it is understood the helicopter was a Lynx. |
| 'Focus on weather' | |
| The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition of international forces earlier said it was still in the process of reviewing the circumstances of the crash. | The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition of international forces earlier said it was still in the process of reviewing the circumstances of the crash. |
| "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic event," it said in a statement. | "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic event," it said in a statement. |
| Defence analyst Paul Beaver said all the indications are that the crash involved a Lynx Mk9 helicopter, which he said has an "exceptional record". | Defence analyst Paul Beaver said all the indications are that the crash involved a Lynx Mk9 helicopter, which he said has an "exceptional record". |
| He said the helicopter is likely to have been operating in "fairly mountainous areas", or in "challenging" terrain. | He said the helicopter is likely to have been operating in "fairly mountainous areas", or in "challenging" terrain. |
| "The key now will be looking at the weather," Mr Beaver told the BBC. | "The key now will be looking at the weather," Mr Beaver told the BBC. |
| "If enemy action is not suspected, which is what the MoD is saying, then you have to look at whether this might well be weather-related." | "If enemy action is not suspected, which is what the MoD is saying, then you have to look at whether this might well be weather-related." |
| The crash brings the total number of international troops killed in Afghanistan in April to seven. | The crash brings the total number of international troops killed in Afghanistan in April to seven. |
| The last major helicopter crash took place in December last year, when seven Americans and four Afghans died. | The last major helicopter crash took place in December last year, when seven Americans and four Afghans died. |
| In August 2011, the Taliban shot down an American Chinook near Kabul, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans in the deadliest single incident for US troops since the war began. | In August 2011, the Taliban shot down an American Chinook near Kabul, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans in the deadliest single incident for US troops since the war began. |
| Concerned family members can contact the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre on 08457 800 900. | Concerned family members can contact the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre on 08457 800 900. |