An Italian military helicopter participating in the European Union's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina crashed on Thursday afternoon near the town of Brčko, in the country's northeast. The incident has resulted in the deaths of three crew members and left twelve others injured, according to local officials.
The aircraft, a CH-47 Chinook, was operating under Operation Althea, the EU's long-running military deployment in the Western Balkans. The crash occurred in the village of Gorice, roughly 180 kilometers northeast of Sarajevo, close to the border with Croatia.
EUFOR confirms casualties
In a statement, the EU's military mission EUFOR confirmed that "a number" of personnel had lost their lives and that others were seriously injured. The mission later added: "As a result of this crash, a number of EUFOR personnel tragically lost their lives, and others were seriously injured."
Bosnia's Defence Ministry said it could not provide further details while awaiting more precise information, particularly regarding the medical condition of the survivors. The mayor of Brčko, Siniša Milić, told local media that all injured personnel had been transported to a hospital in Brčko, where medical staff remain on alert.
EUFOR has appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information or disinformation about the incident, urging citizens to rely exclusively on official channels for updates. The cause of the crash has not yet been established, and an investigation is expected to be launched.
Operation Althea has been active since 2004, succeeding NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in overseeing the military implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The mission currently includes troops from several EU member states, with Italy contributing a contingent that includes helicopter support.
The crash comes amid broader European security discussions, as the EU continues to bolster its presence in the Western Balkans. Earlier this year, EUFOR conducted exercises with regional partners to ensure stability in the region, which remains a priority for Brussels.
Italian authorities have expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The Italian Ministry of Defence has not yet issued a detailed statement, but local media report that a team of investigators is being dispatched to the crash site.
This incident highlights the risks faced by European forces engaged in peacekeeping operations abroad. It also underscores the importance of maintaining robust safety protocols for military aviation, especially in challenging terrain like that of the Balkans.
As the investigation proceeds, EUFOR has pledged full cooperation with Bosnian authorities. The mission's focus remains on ensuring the safety of its personnel and continuing its mandate to maintain a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
