A European Union peacekeeping helicopter crashed in Bosnia today, killing four people on board and injuring almost a dozen others.

The Italian CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed during a training session near Brčko, Bosnia.

Footage of the helicopter shortly before it crashed showed it spiralling before eventually plummeting to the ground.

The EU Force said an investigation will be launched into the crash.

No civilians were injured in the crash, it added, and no civilian infrastructure, property or vehicles were damaged.

Local hospital spokesperson Salih Ibrahimbegovic said that three of the 15 crew members on the helicopter died – with a fourth dying of their injuries after arriving at the hospital.

‘Twelve people were brought to our hospital. Unfortunately, a fourth person died from his injuries in hospital,’ the spokesperson said.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, wrote on X: ‘I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in an EUFOR helicopter crash near Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

‘My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected. EUFOR personnel serve every day to support peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina; their work remains vital.

‘Europe stands in full solidarity with Italy at this difficult time. We remain in close contact with the EUFOR Commander and our EU representatives on the ground.’

EUFOR has operated in Bosnia under a UN Security Council Mandate since 2004, taking over from NATO after the Bosnian civil war ended in 1995.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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