ROME/ATHENS: An Italian military helicopter serving with the European Union's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina crashed on Thursday, killing four people and injuring 11 others, Italy's defence ministry said. The incident has sent shockwaves through the international peacekeeping community, as the aircraft was performing routine duties in the region.
Two of those killed were Italian army members and two belonged to the Italian Red Cross's Volunteer Military Corps. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by military authorities.
The ministry added that all 11 injured were receiving treatment at local medical facilities and none was in a life-threatening condition. A total of 15 people were on board the transport helicopter when it went down.
"At this moment of immense grief, my thoughts go first and foremost to the families of our fallen, to whom I extend my personal condolences and those of the entire Defence establishment," Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said in an official statement.
The ANSA news agency reported that the helicopter came down in the village of Gorice in the Brcko district. Images carried by local media showed a military transport helicopter overturned on the ground and shattered into pieces, indicating a high-impact crash.
"There are no words capable of easing such a profound loss," Crosetto added. The aircraft had been deployed as part of Operation Althea, run by the European Union Force (EUFOR), which oversees the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement in the Balkan nation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her deep condolences, writing on the social media platform X: "My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those who, as part of the mission to promote peace and stability in the region, are experiencing hours of anguish."
The European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina has pledged full cooperation with the Italian authorities to determine the technical or environmental factors that led to the tragedy. Security protocols are being reviewed as the investigation proceeds.
Local authorities in the Brcko district have cordoned off the crash site to allow forensic teams to collect evidence. The mission remains committed to its mandate despite the heavy loss of life, with officials emphasizing the importance of the stability operations in the region.
As the recovery efforts conclude, the Italian government is coordinating with local Bosnian officials to repatriate the remains of the deceased. The incident marks one of the most significant losses for the Italian military contingent in recent years.
The international community, including NATO and various EU member states, has sent messages of solidarity to the Italian government, acknowledging the sacrifice of the personnel who were serving to maintain peace in a historically volatile region.