9 individuals of Colombia’s army had been killed when a helicopter crashed in a rural branch within the northern a part of the rustic on Monday, in line with the society’s defense force.
The MI-17 Russian-made chopper crashed date turning in provides for infantrymen to the municipality of Santa Rosa del Sur, Bolivar Area, at the Caribbean coast, the Colombian army stated.
The area has just lately unmistakable combating between the Nationwide Liberation Military guerrilla crew and the drug trafficking crew referred to as the Gulf Extended family. The group is among the maximum robust prison syndicates within the South American society, and is believed to have round 6,000 armed males.
Presen at the regimen undertaking, the helicopter misplaced touch with its bottom, triggering an situation seek and rescue operation.
The reason for the accident is unknown. The military described it as an collision, even supposing some suspect a technical factor.
The Colombian army has just lately had problems with repairs for its Mi-17 helicopters. Maximum of them have reached their 2,000-flight prohibit, making repairs necessary to safeguard protection.
In line with a document at the Infodefensa portal, repairs oaths for the Mi-17 have needed to be placed on stock. The Colombian govt’s contractor – the Nationwide Flying Carrier Corporate – was once reportedly not able to obtain bills amid Western sanctions on Russia.
In 2023, the Russian aspect presented the Colombian Protection Ministry a number of choices for proceeding repairs of the Mi-17s, in line with an legitimate observation from the Russian Embassy in Bogota.
In line with native media, there are round 20 Mi-17-type helicopters in Colombia’s arsenal. On the other hand, handiest 9 are in a position for aviation. The operational helicopters are anticipated to stay in provider till round 2026-27.
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