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Five killed in UK helicopter crash in Afghanistan Five UK troops killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash
(about 7 hours later)
A British helicopter has crashed in Afghanistan, killing all five people on board, the Ministry of Defence announced. Five British servicemen were killed on Saturday when their Lynx helicopter crashed in a mountainous area of southern Afghanistan.
A spokesman for the coalition force Isaf released a statement confirming the five soldiers had died aboard the aircraft which came downon Saturday in mountainous terrain about 80 miles outside Kandahar in the south. The Ministry of Defence said the four soldiers and one airman were on a routine flight when it came down in Kandahar province. The Taliban said they were responsible for bringing down the aircraft, but the claim was rejected by defence officials who said the crash was probably caused by technical failure.
It was the heaviest death toll in a single day this year for foreign forces, who are preparing to leave the country. The incident brings the toll of UK military personnel killed in Afghanistan to 453 and is the single worst involving British forces in the country since a Nimrod aircraft exploded in 2006.
If it is confirmed that the dead are all British, it will bring the death toll of UK service personnel killed this year in Afghanistan to six, following the death of Sapper Adam Moralee in an industrial accident in March. "It is with great sadness that we must confirm that five UK service personnel have been killed in this incident which, at this early stage, would appear to have been a tragic accident," said Major General Richard Felton of the British military's Joint Helicopter Command.
It is also the first fatal accident involving a British helicopter – thought to have been a Lynx, which has an extremely good safety record – since the conflict began. The MoD said the dead included three Army Air Corps personnel and a Royal Air Force serviceman all based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. The fifth was a member of the army reserve from 3 Military Intelligence Battalion, based in London.
The Taliban said they had brought down the helicopter, but the claim was dismissed by defence officials, who said that the crash was probably caused by a technical failure. An investigation is being carried out. David Cameron last night said his "heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed in this terrible tragedy".
The spokesman for Kandahar governor Tooryalai Wesa said that Isaf had insisted the crash was not a result of enemy fire. "We talked to Isaf and they said the helicopter had a technical problem," said Dawa Khan Minapal. "Charghai village is very close to Kandahar airport. Isaf headquarters is also located close to Kandahar airport. That is why it crashed close by. But it is one of the safest districts in Kandahar." Ed Miliband said: "This is a tragic and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces in serving our country with bravery and distinction."
The Taliban spokesman based in southern Afghanistan, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, said in a telephone interview that their militia had used a "secret" new weapon that enables them to target the aircraft. "This village is in a mountainous area," he added. "The helicopter was trying to manoeuvre and was targeted by the Taliban. A lot of Isaf soldiers were killed. These past 14 years they are always saying it is a technical problem, but it was not." An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The Lynx helicopter is considered to have an extremely good safety record and the incident is the first deadly accident involving a British helicopter since the conflict began.
A Taliban spokesman based in southern Afghanistan, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, said in a telephone interview that their militia had used a "secret" new weapon that enables them to target the aircraft. "This village is in a mountainous area," he added. "The helicopter was trying to manoeuvre and was targeted by the Taliban. A lot of Isaf soldiers were killed. These past 14 years they are always saying it is a technical problem, but it was not."
The latest deaths will be an especially poignant blow as British forces are preparing to leave Afghanistan as part of the ongoing transition to hand over full security responsibility to Afghan forces.The latest deaths will be an especially poignant blow as British forces are preparing to leave Afghanistan as part of the ongoing transition to hand over full security responsibility to Afghan forces.
The withdrawal has been gradual, with only two British bases operating in southern Helmand province, as at March this year. At the peak of Britain's involvement it had 137 bases in the province. The full withdrawal is expected to take place by the end of the year. Since 2001 some 453 British soldiers have died in the Afghan conflict. The withdrawal has been gradual, with only two British bases operating in southern Helmand province in March this year. At the peak of Britain's involvement it had 137 bases in the province. The full withdrawal is expected to take place by the end of the year.
Saturday saw the preliminary results of the Afghan elections held on 5 April. They showed that the presidential election will go to a second round, after no candidate reached the 50% needed for an outright win.Saturday saw the preliminary results of the Afghan elections held on 5 April. They showed that the presidential election will go to a second round, after no candidate reached the 50% needed for an outright win.
Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah won most votes with 44.9%, while former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani came second with 31.5%. They could reach a power-sharing agreement but both have said previously that they will push for an outright win. They are now expected to face a runoff vote on 28 May. Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah won most votes with 44.9%, while former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani came second with 31.5%. They could reach a power-sharing agreement but, although neither had commented by the time the Observer went to press, both have said previously that they will push for an outright win. They are now expected to face a runoff vote on 28 May.