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| South Sudan crisis: UN helicopter crashes near Bentiu | South Sudan crisis: UN helicopter crashes near Bentiu |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UN says one of its cargo helicopters has crashed in South Sudan, with unconfirmed reports saying it was shot down. | The UN says one of its cargo helicopters has crashed in South Sudan, with unconfirmed reports saying it was shot down. |
| A search and rescue team has been sent to the crash site near Bentiu, said the UN mission in South Sudan. | |
| A UN official told the AP news agency the Mi-8 helicopter had apparently been shot down. | |
| Thousands of people have been killed this year in bitter fighting between South Sudan's army and rebel forces. | Thousands of people have been killed this year in bitter fighting between South Sudan's army and rebel forces. |
| Bentiu, capital of the oil-rich Unity state, has changed hands several times but a ceasefire agreement is currently in place. | |
| On Monday, the two sides were given 45 days to form a power-sharing government. | |
| The AFP news agency says the Mi-8 would normally have between three and five crew on board. | |
| The UN said it was "deeply concerned" about the fate of the crew. | |
| A government official has accused forces loyal to rebel commander Peter Gadet of shooting down the helicopter, AP reports. His forces have not yet commented. | |
| The UN plays a key role in getting food to the 1.8 million people who have fled their homes since fighting broke out last December. | |
| Many have sought shelter in UN bases around the country, including Bentiu. |