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South Sudan army 'shoots down UN helicopter' | South Sudan army 'shoots down UN helicopter' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The United Nations says a helicopter from its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been shot down by the army, killing all four crew members on board. | The United Nations says a helicopter from its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been shot down by the army, killing all four crew members on board. |
A spokesman said the aircraft was shot down while on a reconnaissance mission in eastern Jonglei state. | A spokesman said the aircraft was shot down while on a reconnaissance mission in eastern Jonglei state. |
Deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey said South Sudan's military had admitted it had hit the helicopter. | Deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey said South Sudan's military had admitted it had hit the helicopter. |
However, South Sudan's minister of information told the BBC's that the cause of the incident was not clear. | |
The UN has been helping those caught up in deadly clashes between rival communities in Jonglei state. | The UN has been helping those caught up in deadly clashes between rival communities in Jonglei state. |
"Initial reports indicated the UN helicopter crashed and burned. The mission immediately launched a search and recovery mission. It has confirmed the death of all four crew members," the UN spokesman said. | |
"In subsequent communications between the mission and the South Sudanese armed forces, the SPLA [army] told the mission that it has shot down the helicopter in the Likuangole area in Jonglei state." | "In subsequent communications between the mission and the South Sudanese armed forces, the SPLA [army] told the mission that it has shot down the helicopter in the Likuangole area in Jonglei state." |
But South Sudan Minister of Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "There is no proof it was shot down." | |
"It is being investigated," he said. | |
"It was flying in an area where there is a lot of rebel activity." | |
South Sudan accuses Sudan of backing rebel groups on its territory - charges denied by Khartoum. | |
Relations have been tense between the two countries since the South seceded in 2011. |