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Afghan helicopter crash kills 31 US troops | Afghan helicopter crash kills 31 US troops |
(40 minutes later) | |
A US helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan has killed 31 US special forces and seven Afghan soldiers, President Hamid Karzai's office says. | A US helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan has killed 31 US special forces and seven Afghan soldiers, President Hamid Karzai's office says. |
The helicopter was taking the personnel back to their base after an operation. | The helicopter was taking the personnel back to their base after an operation. |
It is not clear how the crash happened but the Taliban have said they shot the helicopter down. | It is not clear how the crash happened but the Taliban have said they shot the helicopter down. |
The incident is believed to be the biggest single loss of life for US forces in Afghanistan since they began operations in 2001. | The incident is believed to be the biggest single loss of life for US forces in Afghanistan since they began operations in 2001. |
The helicopter went down overnight in Wardak province, the statement from President Karzai's office said. | The helicopter went down overnight in Wardak province, the statement from President Karzai's office said. |
It was returning from an operation against the Taliban in which eight insurgents are believed to have been killed. | |
"The president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expresses his sympathy and deep condolences to US President Barack Obama and the family of the victims," the statement said. | "The president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expresses his sympathy and deep condolences to US President Barack Obama and the family of the victims," the statement said. |
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force has confirmed the helicopter crash but has not released details of casualties or the cause. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force has confirmed the helicopter crash but has not released details of casualties or the cause. |
Nato said it was mounting an operation to recover the helicopter and find out why it crashed. | |
A Taliban spokesman said insurgents brought down the helicopter with a rocket, Associated Press news agency said. | |
A Wardak government spokesman quoted by AFP news agency agreed with this, saying the helicopter was hit as it was taking off. | |
It is believed the helicopter was a Chinook, commonly used by coalition forces in Afghanistan to ferry troops in and out of combat. |