Twelve soldiers died Friday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force confirmed. Officials in Turkey said the helicopter, a Sikorsky, belonged to their military and all 12 soldiers on board were Turkish. The reason for the crash is unknown.
The chopper was on a NATO mission with another Turkish aircraft when it went down near Kabul. ISAF spokesman Capt. Daivd Yaryar said there was no insurgent activity in the area at the time of the accident. It appears the pilot was attempting an emergency landing, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The helicopter crashed into a house. Local authorities say four Afghan civilians were killed.
The crash is under investigation. No other details were immediately available.
###
Click here for more World News
