This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-33782539
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Colombia helicopter crash kills 16 police officers | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A police helicopter has crashed in a jungle area of north-west Colombia, killing at least 16 officers. | |
The policemen were on an operation to try to arrest one of the leaders of the Usuga Clan, a powerful drug-smuggling gang that operates in the region. | |
The Black Hawk helicopter crashed in a remote mountainous area of Antioquia. | |
Colombian Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said it probably "crashed against the side of the mountain, possibly due to low cloud cover". | |
Antioquia is 450km (280 miles) north-west of the capital, Bogota. | Antioquia is 450km (280 miles) north-west of the capital, Bogota. |
An initial police investigation had blamed the loss of the aircraft on technical failure. | |
'No gunfire' | |
The presence of criminal gangs and left-wing rebels in the area of the crash led to rumours that the helicopter had been shot at. | |
But Mr Villegas said two other aircraft taking part in the operation didn't report any gunfire. | |
An earlier report from Colombian police said 15 officers had died and two injured. | |
Last week, 11 air force personnel died in a helicopter crash near the Colombian Caribbean coast. | Last week, 11 air force personnel died in a helicopter crash near the Colombian Caribbean coast. |
The police operation was aimed at arresting Luis Orlando Padierna Pena, known as Inglaterra (England), El Tiempo newspaper reported. | The police operation was aimed at arresting Luis Orlando Padierna Pena, known as Inglaterra (England), El Tiempo newspaper reported. |
The alleged head of the clan is Dairo Antonio Usuga David, known as Otoniel. | The alleged head of the clan is Dairo Antonio Usuga David, known as Otoniel. |
The US has offered a reward of up to $5m for information leading to his arrest. | The US has offered a reward of up to $5m for information leading to his arrest. |
Previous version
1
Next version