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Subject:
24 Die in Sierra Leone U.N. Copter Crash
From:
f ossia <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
AAM (African Association of Madison)
Date:
Tue, 29 Jun 2004 16:42:42 +0000
Content-Type:
text/plain
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text/plain (55 lines) 
** Visit AAM's new website! http://www.africanassociation.org **

By CLARENCE ROY-MACAULAY
Associated Press Writer

June 29, 2004, 12:16 PM EDT


FREETOWN, Sierra Leone -- A U.N. helicopter crashed in Sierra Leone on
Tuesday, killing all 24 peacekeepers, aid workers and other civilians on
board, a U.N. spokeswoman in the West African nation said.

Victims aboard the Russian-made Mi-8 also included the Russian crew, U.N.
mission spokeswoman Sharon McPherson said.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the crash. Russia's Itar-Tass
news agency said the wreckage was in flames after the crash.

The United Nations has about 11,800 peacekeepers in Sierra Leone overseeing
the country's peace accord after a 1991-2002 civil war. There have been no
known attacks on U.N. officials.

The helicopter had taken off from Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, with 21
passengers and three crew members, said Daniel Adekera, another U.N.
spokesman.

Passengers included peacekeepers and other U.N. personnel, aid workers and
other civilians, Adekera said.

It was bound for the western city of Kailahun, he said.

Ground crew lost radio contact with the aircraft and sent a search mission
seven minutes later, Adekera said.

Helicopters are the main method of cross-country transportation in Sierra
Leone, where there are few good roads. The white, dual-rotor U.N.
helicopters lift off frequently from a helipad in the U.N. headquarters in
Freetown, ferrying peacekeepers, relief workers and supplies.

Itar-Tass said the helicopter was flown under contract with the United
Nations.
Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press

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