British Helicopter Crash Which Killed 5 in Afghanistan Is 'Tragic Accident'

London, April 27 (QNA) – The fatal helicopter crash in Afghanistan which killed all five UK personnel on board appears to have been a “tragic accident”, the British Ministry of Defence said.

The Lynx helicopter came down in south of the country on Saturday.

Commander Joint Helicopter Command Maj Gen Richard Felton said it was a reminder of the risks UK troops still face as they withdraw from Afghanistan.

Three of the soldiers and an airman were stationed in Hampshire. The fifth, an Army reservist, was based in London.

It was the first fatal accident of the Afghan conflict involving a UK military helicopter but the third biggest loss of life of British troops in a single incident in the country since the invasion in 2001.

Despite Taliban claims its fighters had shot the aircraft down, the (BBC) quoted sources as saying that the cause of the crash may have been “technical problems”.

It said that the crash site – close to the border with Pakistan – had also led to speculation that the helicopter could have been taking part in a special forces mission.