Italienischer Militärhubschrauber in Bosnien abgestürzt

An Italian military helicopter crashed in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday afternoon, killing four personnel and injuring eleven others. The aircraft, a CH-47 Chinook operating under the European Union’s military mission EUFOR Althea, went down near the settlement of Gorica in the Brcko district, close to the border with Serbia. All individuals aboard were Italian nationals. Four died in the incident, while the eleven injured sustained injuries that authorities described as serious but not immediately life-threatening. Rescue teams arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, which occurred during a routine operational phase. The initial casualty count reported by local officials was three dead and twelve injured. However, one of the seriously wounded patients later succumbed to their injuries in a hospital in Brcko, bringing the total death toll to four. Mayor Siniša Milić confirmed that all victims and injured personnel were treated at the local hospital, where medical staff remained on heightened alert. He stated that a large quantity of kerosine leaked from the wreckage into the surrounding area, necessitating extreme caution during rescue operations. Although the helicopter landed in an uninhabited zone, the first houses of Gorica were located nearby. Firefighters, civil protection units, and medical teams worked throughout the night at the site to prevent potential fires or explosions involving the spilled fuel. The four fatalities included two members of the Italian Army and two volunteers from the Italian Red Cross Military Corps. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto identified the victims as Sergeant Simone Ruggia and Sergeant Claudio Marchesi, both serving in the Army Aviation Command, along with Lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sergeant Laura Procacci of the Red Cross. The minister noted that the deceased had been assigned to the First Regiment "Antares" at the Army Aviation Command in Viterbo. According to reports, the helicopter departed from Viterbo earlier in the day, made a stop at the military airbase in Pratica di Mare, and then proceeded to Bosnia. Italian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarah Castellani indicated that the accident likely occurred during the takeoff phase from Brcko airport. Witness accounts suggested that the helicopter flew at low altitude and performed several turns before impacting the ground, though these details remain subject to official investigation. The Ministry of Defense stated that fifteen people were on board the aircraft. An Italian medical team was dispatched immediately to provide additional support to the injured personnel. The ministry emphasized that it waited to release the names of the victims until their families had been informed, aiming to spare other families hours of anxious uncertainty. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy via social media, stating her thoughts were with the victims, their families, and all those engaged in the mission for peace and stability in the region who endured hours of anguish. She conveyed the sincere condolences of the Italian government. President Sergio Mattarella also offered his condolences regarding the deaths of the military personnel. The EUFOR command confirmed the incident, noting that several members of its staff lost their lives and others were severely injured. The mission announced it would launch a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances and causes of the crash, promising further updates once information has been verified. Local authorities and international bodies have initiated inquiries to reconstruct the exact dynamics of the crash. While the specific cause remains unclear, officials ruled out any immediate threat to public safety beyond the controlled spillage of fuel. The injured continue to receive treatment in local medical facilities, with some transfers arranged to other regional hospitals for specialized care. The defense ministry highlighted that no among the injured were currently in critical condition requiring emergency intervention beyond standard trauma care. The focus of current efforts remains on securing the crash site and supporting the recovery of the surviving crew members.