UN “deeply saddened” by pilot’s death

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Kenzo Oshima said on Wednesday he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of the Danish ICRC pilot flying on a humanitarian mission over southern Sudan. The tragedy, which followed the brutal killings of six ICRC workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo less than two weeks ago, “underscored the dangers faced by humanitarian personnel in delivering assistance to those in need”, he added.

Ole-Friis Eriksen was killed instantly in the attack, on a flight for which prior notice had been given and authorisation received from all the parties on the ground. The incident occurred roughly halfway between Lokichoggio and Juba, reportedly when the aircraft had just climbed back to its assigned altitude after a technical problem had forced it to descend briefly to 6,500 feet (2,000 m). The ICRC has suspended all its flights to southern Sudan pending the outcome of an investigation.