Italian EUFOR helicopter crashes in Brčko, three fatalities and 12 injured reported

An Italian CH-47 military helicopter crashed on Thursday afternoon in the Brčko area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aircraft was part of the European Union’s EUFOR Althea peacekeeping mission. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, while emergency services arrived at the scene immediately.

Siniša Milić, mayor of the city of Brčko, said the initial toll was three fatalities and 12 people injured. The EUFOR command confirmed that several mission personnel had lost their lives and others had been seriously injured. The names of those involved and the full circumstances of the crash are expected to be released after official verifications.

Italy’s Ministry of Defence announced that rescue teams responded immediately but provided no further details about the condition of the personnel on board. EUFOR has launched a full investigation to determine the causes of the accident, which occurred during a routine operation in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed their condolences for the victims, as well as solidarity with their families and the armed forces personnel.