OMM Newsroom
An Italian military helicopter serving with the European Union’s peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina crashed near the city of Brčko. Italian media reported at least four deaths and 12 injuries.
Local authorities said the helicopter came down in the village of Gorice in Brčko District. The district’s mayor told Italy’s ANSA news agency that 12 other people were injured.
Footage published by regional media showed the helicopter overturned and badly damaged, with wreckage scattered across the crash site.
A representative of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) confirmed that one of the mission’s helicopters had crashed. In an initial statement, the representative gave no information about casualties or the cause of the crash.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her condolences following the incident. In a post on the social network X, she said her thoughts were with the victims, their families and those serving on the mission to promote peace and stability in the region.
“The news of the crash of an Italian helicopter belonging to EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone serving on the mission for peace and stability in the region and experiencing these anxious hours. I convey to them the sincere support of myself and the Italian government,” Meloni said.
The helicopter was operating as part of the European Union-led Operation Althea, which supports implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, signed in 1995 to end the Bosnian War and establish the basis of the country’s political structure.
The cause of the crash has not yet been announced. An investigation is expected to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The crash is considered one of the most serious incidents in recent years involving international peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
