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8 Peacekeepers Killed in Egypt Helicopter Crash

VOA News

   - Eight international peacekeepers, including six Americans, were
   killed Thursday when a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a
   routine mission in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, according to Israeli and
   Egyptian officials.

   The Multinational Force and Observers, a group that monitors the 1979
   Israeli-Egyptian peace accord and owned the aircraft, reported that the
   two additional victims were French and Czech. The MFO declined to
   release the names of the dead, pending the notification of their
   families.

   A ninth crew member, also an American, was badly injured in the crash,
   and was subsequently airlifted to an Israeli hospital.

   Both Israeli and Egyptian officials say that the crash appears to have
   been an accident, and that there were no signs of the aircraft being
   attacked. The Czech Republic's military attributed the Black Hawk crash
   to technical malfunctions.

   In a press release issued Thursday, the MFO said the group will conduct
   a further investigation into the cause of the accident.

   While the precise location of the crash is unknown, an Egyptian
   official, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to discuss
   the matter with the media, said the helicopter crashed over the Red Sea
   waters outside of Egyptian boundaries.

   In a statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense, Acting
   Secretary of Defense Chris Miller paid tribute to the lost service
   members. "Yesterday we recognized the sacrifice of millions who have
   defended our nation, and today we are reminded of the last full measure
   our warriors may pay for their service." Miller offered his condolences
   to the family and friends of the service members killed in the crash.

   Founded after the Egyptian-Israeli peace deal in 1979, the MFO is made
   up of troops from 13 countries, with the United States making the
   largest contribution. Its responsibilities include ensuring the freedom
   of navigation through the Strait of Tiran. Last year, the U.S. provided
   approximately $31 million to the organization.

   Thursday's crash was the deadliest crash for the U.S. military this
   year.

   Carla Babb contributed to this report.

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