An Italian army CH-47 helicopter operating under the EU's peacekeeping mission EUFOR crashed near Brcko in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina during a routine operation, killing four personnel and injuring eleven others.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in a social media statement. She conveyed her condolences to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, stating, "Europe stands in full solidarity with Italy at this difficult time." Kallas also noted that she was in close contact with the EUFOR Commander and EU representatives on the ground.
NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone also released a statement, saying his thoughts were with the crew, everyone aboard the helicopter, their families, and the comrades awaiting news. He confirmed that he had sent a solidarity message to Italian Chief of Defence General Luciano Portolano. "As an Italian, I feel this tragedy even more deeply," Cavo Dragone said.
Both officials underscored that the personnel lost their lives while serving in a region where allies and partners have worked for decades to maintain peace and stability.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her condolences, conveying the Italian government's solidarity with the families of those killed and with the troops deployed in the region. EUFOR confirmed the aircraft went down during a routine operation in the Brcko area as part of Operation Althea.
