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US Iraq helicopter crash kills 13 US Iraq helicopter crash kills 13
(about 4 hours later)
The US military says one of its helicopters has come down north-east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, killing all 13 people on-board.The US military says one of its helicopters has come down north-east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, killing all 13 people on-board.
The military did not say what caused the helicopter to crash and the incident is now under investigation.The military did not say what caused the helicopter to crash and the incident is now under investigation.
Iraqi police say it happened to the south of the town of Baquba.Iraqi police say it happened to the south of the town of Baquba.
A website linked to the former ruling Baath party said an Islamic militant group shot down the helicopter, but the claim could not be verified.A website linked to the former ruling Baath party said an Islamic militant group shot down the helicopter, but the claim could not be verified.
The latest crash comes weeks after a US military helicopter crashed in western Anbar province, killing four troops.The latest crash comes weeks after a US military helicopter crashed in western Anbar province, killing four troops.
Heavy tollHeavy toll
A military statement said: "A US forces helicopter went down north-east of Baghdad this afternoon. Emergency Coalition Forces responded and secured the scene," Reuters news agency reported.A military statement said: "A US forces helicopter went down north-east of Baghdad this afternoon. Emergency Coalition Forces responded and secured the scene," Reuters news agency reported.
"Thirteen passengers and crew members were aboard the aircraft and all were killed," it said."Thirteen passengers and crew members were aboard the aircraft and all were killed," it said.
AFP news agency quoted Lt Col Josslyn L Aberle as saying there were nine passengers and four crew on board.AFP news agency quoted Lt Col Josslyn L Aberle as saying there were nine passengers and four crew on board.
The BBC's world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says a short while before the announcement, Medivac helicopters had been seen flying out of the city. The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says a short while before the announcement, Medivac helicopters had been seen flying out of the city.
A Baathist website says a group calling itself Jaish al-Mujahideen [the Mujahideen army] says it shot down the helicopter.A Baathist website says a group calling itself Jaish al-Mujahideen [the Mujahideen army] says it shot down the helicopter.
There is no independent verification and our correspondent says groups have often made such claims in similar situations in the past.There is no independent verification and our correspondent says groups have often made such claims in similar situations in the past.
There have been previous US military helicopter crashes in Iraq but rarely causing casualties on a scale like this, our correspondent adds.There have been previous US military helicopter crashes in Iraq but rarely causing casualties on a scale like this, our correspondent adds.
In 2005, 31 US troops died in a helicopter crash in bad weather near the Jordanian border, and in November 2003 two Black Hawks collided under fire over Mosul, killing 17 service personnel.In 2005, 31 US troops died in a helicopter crash in bad weather near the Jordanian border, and in November 2003 two Black Hawks collided under fire over Mosul, killing 17 service personnel.
Meanwhile 10 mortars are reported to have landed close to official buildings in the Shia holy city of Karbala, 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad. Meanwhile, the US military said five of its soldiers were killed in a gun battle with militants at the provincial government headquarters in the Shia holy city of Karbala, 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad, Associated Press news agency reported.
Local police say there are casualties.
It happened as thousands of pilgrims gathered in Karbala for the Shia mourning ceremony of Ashura, due to begin on Sunday.It happened as thousands of pilgrims gathered in Karbala for the Shia mourning ceremony of Ashura, due to begin on Sunday.