At around 1 p.m. today, an Apache attack helicopter of MINUSMA had to make a hard landing about 42 kilometres north of Gao (in northern Mali). The two crew members lost their lives in this accident, which took place during an exercise conducted by MINUSMA’s Dutch contingent in this area.

A medical team was immediately deployed to the site of the accident, but was not able to save the helicopter’s crew.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of MINUSMA, Mr Mongi Hamdi, extends its deepest condolences to the Government of the Netherlands and to the families of the two soldiers, who lost their lives in this tragic accident.

MINUSMA immediately deployed teams to secure the site. Specialized investigators from MINUSMA and the Netherlands will go to the scene to establish the exact circumstances of the accident.