Baghdad: An Iraqi military helicopter crashed south of Baghdad today killing nine people due to a "technical problem", a security spokesman said.
"A military helicopter of the Mi-17 type crashed because of a technical problem," killing its crew of nine, two of them officers, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told AFP.
The Soviet-designed helicopter, which is intended for transport but can also be equipped with weapons, was en route from Iraq's main southern city of Basra to the city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, Rasool said.
A Kut police captain said the crash occurred in an area east of the city.
It is not the first Iraqi military helicopter crash in recent years.
In August 2014, an overloaded helicopter crashed after delivering aid to people besieged by the Islamic State jihadist group on Mount Sinjar, killing its pilot and injuring passengers including a member of parliament.
In April 2014, a military helicopter crashed north of Baghdad, killing Lieutenant General Hassan Karim Khudayr.
Iraq also lost an Mi-17 to a sandstorm in July 2010, a crash that killed five.
Iraqi military helicopters have also been damaged or destroyed by ground fire from militants.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"A military helicopter of the Mi-17 type crashed because of a technical problem," killing its crew of nine, two of them officers, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told AFP.
The Soviet-designed helicopter, which is intended for transport but can also be equipped with weapons, was en route from Iraq's main southern city of Basra to the city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, Rasool said.
It is not the first Iraqi military helicopter crash in recent years.
Advertisement
In April 2014, a military helicopter crashed north of Baghdad, killing Lieutenant General Hassan Karim Khudayr.
Advertisement
Iraqi military helicopters have also been damaged or destroyed by ground fire from militants.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Iraq Proposes Law To Reduce Legal Age Of Marriage For Girls To 9 Multiple US Soldiers Injured In Rocket Attack On Iraq Base US Carries Out Strike In Iraq Amid Middle East Tensions Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged For Matthew Perry's Death Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool AP ICET Counselling 2024 Revised Schedule Out, Check Details Manipuri Girl's 'Jana Gana Mana' Rendition Goes Viral, Wins Praise Online "Appreciate Nikki Haley's Advice But Will Do It My Way": Donald Trump Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.