Sinai, Nov. 13, (dpa/GNA) – Eight peacekeepers were killed on Thursday after their helicopter crashed in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, the multinational force said.
The dead were six US citizens, one French and one Czech, the troops officially known as the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) added in a statement.
One US MFO member survived the crash and was medically evacuated, it said.
The crash took place during a “routine mission” in the vicinity of Sharm el-Sheikh in the southern part of the largely desert peninsula.
The MFO said it would conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
“At this point, there is no information to indicate the crash was anything except an accident,” it said.
Initially, local witnesses said seven had been killed in the crash.
An Egyptian security official told dpa that the crash was due to a technical problem that affected the engine.
Egyptian security forces and the MFO chief in Sinai went to the crash site that was sealed off, the official added on condition of anonymity.
Th MFO force is tasked with monitoring the Egyptian-Israeli border under a peace treaty between the two countries.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi expressed his deep regret about the deaths. He also emphasized the importance of the force for security and stability in the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to the dead French soldier’s relatives on Thursday evening. The president sent a message of solidarity and sympathy to the states affected by this tragedy, the Elysee Palace said.
Acting US Secretary of Defence Chris Miller said his department was “deeply saddened” by the eight deaths and expressed sympathy for the families of the victims.
GNA