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US helicopter crash near Baghdad US helicopter crash 'kills seven'
(30 minutes later)
A United States military helicopter has gone down near Baghdad, in the fifth such incident in Iraq so far this year, US military officials have said. A US helicopter has gone down near Baghdad and reports quoting unnamed US defence officials say all seven people aboard have died.
All seven people aboard the CH-46 Sea Knight aircraft died, reports quoting unnamed US defence officials said. The crash, the fifth such incident in Iraq this year, appeared to have been related to mechanical problems rather than hostile fire, the officials said.
It comes three days after the US said ground fire apparently caused the four previous helicopter losses.It comes three days after the US said ground fire apparently caused the four previous helicopter losses.
A US spokesman said on Sunday that tactics were being adjusted and mission procedures modified as a result. The US has said it is modifying tactics and mission procedures as a result.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because an inquiry was active, told the Associated Press that the helicopter was operated by Marines, and other aircraft were in visual contact at the time it went down.
He said he did not know whether the crew sent out a radio distress signal.
'Ball of fire''Ball of fire'
In the latest incident, witnesses said they saw the helicopter go down amid gunfire from the ground, about 30km (18 miles) north-west of Baghdad, the Associated Press news agency reported. In Baghdad, an Iraqi air force officer said the helicopter was downed by an anti-aircraft missile.
Witnesses said they saw the helicopter go down amid gunfire from the ground, about 30km (18 miles) north-west of Baghdad, AP reported earlier.
RECENT HELICOPTER LOSSES 7 Feb: CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter goes down north-west of Baghdad2 Feb: Apache helicopter goes down near US air base at Taji, two lives lost28 Jan: Apache downed while supporting Iraqi troops near Najaf, two lives lost 23 Jan: OH-6A helicopter used by private US security firm Blackwater crashes in Baghdad after coming under "heavy gunfire"; four civilians killed 20 Jan: Black Hawk goes down near Baghdad, with loss of 12 lives CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter "The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," Mohammad al-Janabi, a farmer, was quoted by AP as saying.RECENT HELICOPTER LOSSES 7 Feb: CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter goes down north-west of Baghdad2 Feb: Apache helicopter goes down near US air base at Taji, two lives lost28 Jan: Apache downed while supporting Iraqi troops near Najaf, two lives lost 23 Jan: OH-6A helicopter used by private US security firm Blackwater crashes in Baghdad after coming under "heavy gunfire"; four civilians killed 20 Jan: Black Hawk goes down near Baghdad, with loss of 12 lives CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter "The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," Mohammad al-Janabi, a farmer, was quoted by AP as saying.
"The helicopter then turned into a ball of fire. It flew in a circle twice, then it went down.""The helicopter then turned into a ball of fire. It flew in a circle twice, then it went down."
A statement purported to be from an al-Qaeda-linked group called the Islamic State in Iraq, posted on a website used by Sunni militant groups, said it brought down the helicopter.A statement purported to be from an al-Qaeda-linked group called the Islamic State in Iraq, posted on a website used by Sunni militant groups, said it brought down the helicopter.
"By God's grace, the downing of a helicopter of the crusaders was accomplished on Wednesday morning near the Karamah in Anbar province, leading to its destruction and the deaths of all those on board," the statement said."By God's grace, the downing of a helicopter of the crusaders was accomplished on Wednesday morning near the Karamah in Anbar province, leading to its destruction and the deaths of all those on board," the statement said.
Its authenticity could not be independently verified.Its authenticity could not be independently verified.
US military spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said a "quick reaction force" was on site and an investigation was under way.
Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed north-east of Baghdad, the deadliest such incident this year.Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed north-east of Baghdad, the deadliest such incident this year.
The US has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.The US has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.