NATO Helicopter Crash In Afghanistan Kills Five — British Chopper Involved In ‘Non-Hostile’ Accident [Video]

A NATO helicopter crash in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of five of its personnel. There were ten on board, and the others miraculously escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.

NATO officials have confirmed that a helicopter carrying its personnel crashed while attempting to land, killing five, while injuring five others. The helicopter, a Puma Mk2, was coming in to land at NATO’s training and support mission HQ in Kabul, Afghanistan. NATO has identified those who died in the crash, but refused to reveal their identity and asked for a grace period before their names would be released, reported the BBC.

While the Defense Secretary Michael Fallon expressed his “deepest sympathies,” a Ministry of Defense spokesman confirmed that the crash was “an accident and not the result of insurgent activity.” In other words, the helicopter crashed without being fired upon. There have been several instances wherein military vehicles and helicopters have come under fire from ground-based insurgents in the recent past. However, this crash has been determined to be caused by “non-hostile” forces. The helicopter belonged to NATO’s Resolute Support mission, confirmed a statement from the agency.

The spokesperson added that the families of the victims have been informed and it is they who have requested for a grace period before the names of those who perished are released. Incidentally, of those killed in the crash in Afghanistan, two belong to the British Royal Air Force (RAF). They have been identified by the Ministry of Defense as Flight Lieutenant Geraint Roberts and Flight Lieutenant Alan Scott, reported the Telegraph.