Chiara Nava An Italian CH-47 Chinook military helicopter , operating as part of the European Union's EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, crashed on the afternoon of Thursday, October 29, in the Brčko area , in the northeastern part of the country. The accident occurred near the village of Gorice, during a routine operation. According to news agency reports, the death toll stands at least four and twelve injured , although initial reports from local authorities indicated three victims.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation . The Italian Ministry of Defense confirmed the aircraft's crash, specifying that rescue operations arrived promptly and that, in the initial stages, checks were underway on the conditions of the personnel on board. The EUFOR command also confirmed the incident, announcing a thorough investigation and urging the public not to spread unverified information.
The crash near Brčko: Rescue efforts and death toll
The helicopter crashed in the town of Gorice, in an uninhabited area not far from the first houses. According to local media reports, some witnesses saw the aircraft flying at low altitude and making several turns before crashing . The exact circumstances of the accident, however, remain to be clarified by official investigations.
Firefighters, civil defense, police, and medical personnel responded to the scene. The injured were transported to the hospital in Brčko ; according to initial statements by the district mayor, Siniša Milić, some were in critical condition and could be transferred to other medical facilities for specialized care. The mayor's initial toll was three dead and twelve injured, while subsequent agency updates reported the death toll had risen to four.
Authorities also reported that no civilian injuries were reported, nor was there any damage to civilian infrastructure, property, or vehicles . The accident area has been secured to allow for rescue operations and technical assessments.
Condolences from Giorgia Meloni and Antonio Tajani
News of the accident sparked a reaction from Italian institutions. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her sorrow for what happened, extending her thoughts to the victims, their families, and the personnel involved in the international mission.
“ The news of the tragic accident involving an Italian EUFOR helicopter in Bosnia-Herzegovina is a cause for deep sorrow. My thoughts go to the victims, their families, and all those engaged in the mission for peace and stability in the region who are experiencing hours of anguish ,” declared the Prime Minister.
Foreign Minister and Vice President of the Council of Ministers, Antonio Tajani , also expressed his sympathy to those affected and their families. The minister also announced that the Italian ambassador in Sarajevo was traveling to Brčko to closely monitor the situation and provide the necessary support.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the cause of the accident is still under investigation . At this time, it is therefore not possible to establish with certainty what caused the helicopter to crash or to assign any responsibility.
The EUFOR Althea mission and the role of the Italian Chinook
The helicopter involved in the accident is a CH-47 Chinook , a heavy transport aircraft used by the Italian Army for the transfer of personnel, equipment, and supplies . Thanks to its technical characteristics and ability to transport large loads, it is used in various operational and training activities, including in international missions.
The vessel was involved in Operation EUFOR Althea , the European Union military mission launched on 2 December 2004 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The operation took over from the previous NATO mission SFOR and operates under a United Nations mandate, with the aim of contributing to maintaining security and stability in the region after the conflict of the 1990s.
Following the crash, EUFOR Command launched an investigation to reconstruct the circumstances of the accident and determine the cause of the crash. The mission asked citizens to rely exclusively on official communications and avoid sharing unconfirmed information about the identities of those involved and the circumstances of the incident.
Information regarding the victims and injuries remains subject to updates from the competent authorities. The results of the investigation will clarify what happened during the flight and what factors contributed to the tragic accident.