US helicopter crash: 17 missing
2005-06-29 10:08
Kabul - Seventeen United States service members were on board an American Chinook helicopter that crashed in eastern Afghanistan and it was not known if they had survived, the US military said on Wednesday.
"Initial reports indicate the crash may have been caused by hostile fire. The status of the service members is unknown at this time," the statement said.
The helicopter was transporting US forces into the area as part of operations to combat suspected al-Qaeda militants in the restive Kunar province when it crashed, it said.
US-led and Afghan National Army forces quickly surrounded the crash site to block any "enemy movement", the US military said. Coalition aircraft remained overhead to protect it, it added.
The anti-militant operation was continuing, the statement said.
"This is a tragic event for all of us, and our hearts and prayers go out to the families, loved ones and service members still fighting in the area," senior US military official Brigadier General Greg Champion said.
"Our courage and commitment to America's fight in the global war on terror will not waver. This incident will only further our resolve to defeat the enemies of peace."
Afghanistan's ousted Taliban regime claimed responsibility late on Tuesday for shooting down the giant twin-rotor helicopter.
- AFP