(16 Aug 2005)
APTN - FILE
31 July 2004
1. Various of Spanish soldiers, members of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), on patrol in Kabul
APTN
16 August 2005
2. Major Andy Elmes, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), spokesperson with media
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Major Andy Elmes, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), spokesperson:
"ISAF has learnt that at approximately 13-hundred hours this afternoon in the western regional province of Herat, a Spanish helicopter crashed and a second helicopter was forced to land in an area 22 kilometres south of the city. The helicopters were part of the election support forces operating with ISAF in preparation for the national assembly and provincial council elections in September. The number of killed and wounded is not clear, although we understand that Spanish soldiers were amongst those killed. A rescue operation was launched immediately and is ongoing, moving wounded to the ISAF military hospital in Herat, securing the site and allowing us to begin investigation into the cause. ISAF believes that this is the result of an accident, but it will not prejudge the results of the investigation. As soon as further information is confirmed we will ensure its release to the media."
4. Close up of ISAF badge and British badge on soldier's sleeve
5. Elmes and soldiers walk off
STORYLINE:
An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokesperson in Kabul confirmed on Tuesday that Spanish soldiers are amongst those killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
Up to 17 Spanish members of the NATO-led international security force in Afghanistan are believed to be dead.
The crash happened at 1300 (0900 GMT), 22 kilometres (14 miles) south of the western regional province of Herat.
A second helicopter also made an emergency landing according to Major Andy Elmes, a spokesperson for ISAF in Kabul.
"The number of killed and wounded is not clear, although we understand that Spanish soldiers were amongst those killed. A rescue operation was launched immediately and is ongoing, moving wounded to the ISAF military hospital in Herat" Elmes said at a media briefing.
He said the cause of the crash and the emergency landing were believed to be mechanical failure. He did not elaborate.
Afghan army commander Abdul Wahab Walizada, whose troops are providing security in the area, said the two choppers came too close while flying and the rotor blade of one hit the other.
"The second helicopter landed heavily. There are survivors from that helicopter." said Maj. Elmes.
He said both choppers were on a training mission to support legislative elections next month.
In Madrid, Spain's defence minister said he does not rule out hostile fire may have caused the crash
The NATO force includes about 10,000 troops from 36 nations, which maintains security in the capital, Kabul, and the country's north and west.
It plans to increase its size by an unspecified amount and take over from the U.S.-led coalition in the violence-wracked south early next year, before gradually moving into the east.
Herat province is largely free of violence by Taliban-led rebels.
In June, suspected insurgents shot down a U.S. military Chinook helicopter in eastern Kunar province - a hotbed for Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents -near the border with Pakistan. All 16 U.S. forces on board were killed.
In April, 15 U.S. service members and three American civilians were killed when their Chinook went down in a sandstorm while returning to the main U.S. base at Bagram.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
