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Seven die in UN helicopter crash

    ABIDJAN

    Seven people working with the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) died after a UN helicopter crashed into the sea shortly after take-off from the capital Freetown on Wednesday evening, an UNAMSIL official told IRIN.

    "A recovery mission is underway," the official said on Thursday.

    The Russian-built Mi-8 aircraft, which was en route to Lungi airport north of Freetown, was carrying four Ukrainian crew members, two Zambian military officers and a UN volunteer from Bulgaria. It plunged into the sea some 500 metres north of Man of War Bay, Aberdeen Peninsula at approximately 7.50 p.m., the UN said. An extensive search involving helicopters, fast patrol boats and divers took place and the remains of three bodies were recovered and taken to Freetown's Connaught Hospital. The search was discontinued at midnight and recovery efforts began at first light on Thursday. Four victims remain unaccounted for, UNAMSIL said on Thursday afternoon.

    A UNAMSIL official said there would be an investigation into the causes of the crash.

    It is the second helicopter crash in Sierra Leone in less than a month. On 19 October a British army officer, working with the UK-led military assistance and training team, died after a Sierra Leone Army Mi-24 helicopter gunship crashed near the eastern town of Kenema during a routine reconnaisance mission.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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