Ecuador: Military helicopter crashes in the Amazon and its eight passengers die

An Army helicopter Ecuador It crashed this Friday in an area of ​​the Amazon with eight people on board, including five soldiers and three civilians, who died, according to a statement from the military institution.

The eight people were found dead. Among the fatalities are five soldiers and three civilians, employees of the Risk Management Secretariat (SGR) of the Ecuadorian Government that brought humanitarian aid to sectors of the Amazon province of Pastaza, affected by floods caused by river flooding.

The Ecuadorian Army reports the unfortunate death of the soldiers and passengers of the MI 171 E helicopter#ArmyECU pic.twitter.com/QEKjJvIuOS

— Ecuadorian Army (@EjercitoECU) April 27, 2024

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The accident occurred at 9:36 am local time (2:36 pm GMT), when contact was lost with the aircraft, a Mi-171 helicopter with registration AAE-485, which was flying over the Amazon province of Pastaza, located in the southeast. from the territory of Ecuador.

The helicopter was traveling on the Shell-Tiwino-Tababoro route and was transporting personnel from the Risk Management Secretariat (SGR) of the Government of Ecuador when it crashed in the Tiwino sector.

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The damaged aircraft was located at 2:20 pm local time (7:20 pm GMT), almost five hours after the accident, thanks to the search operation in which two light helicopters from the same Army participated.

“To date, search and rescue efforts for the crew and passengers, consisting of a pilot, a co-pilot, three mechanics and three civilians, continue.”said the Army, which did not provide information on the situation of the people involved in the accident.

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The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboaindicated in a message via social media that he ordered all possible means to be used to find the helicopter’s crew and passengers.

“I deeply regret the tragic accident suffered by soldiers and civil servants providing humanitarian aid in the Tiwino sector of Pastaza”Noboa said.

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“I tried to make all necessary efforts in the search for the crew and passengers who carried out this heroic mission in favor of the Ecuadorians. “We will work exhaustively to give families peace.”concluded.

I deeply regret the tragic accident suffered by soldiers and civil servants providing humanitarian aid in the Tiwino sector of Pastaza.

I have arranged to make all necessary efforts to search for the crew and passengers who…

-Daniel Noboa Azin (@DanielNoboaOk) April 26, 2024

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.