Audio By Carbonatix
The wreckage of two Ugandan helicopters that went missing on Sunday has been found in a remote area of Kenya, Kenyan officials have said.
Two bodies have been recovered and eight other people on the aircraft have been rescued, the officials added.
Both attack helicopters were part of a contingent being sent to reinforce the African Union (AU) force in Somalia.
A Ugandan spokesman suggested bad weather caused the crash and ruled out an external attack or mechanical fault.
A third helicopter on the same mission made an emergency landing in Mount Kenya on Sunday.
Its passengers have been rescued, Kenyan army spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said.
Only one of the four Russian-made helicopters en route to Somalia made a scheduled refuelling stop on Sunday in the Kenyan town of Garissa.
'Completely destroyed'
The wreckage of the two missing helicopters was spotted on Mount Kenya - Africa's second-highest peak at 5,199 metres (17,057 feet) - by wildlife officers.
The deputy warden of Mount Kenya National Park, Simon Gitau, said rescue workers saw two bodies and helped rescue eight other people from one of the two downed helicopters, the AP news agency reports.
One helicopter has been completely destroyed and the other partially, Col Oguna told the BBC.
Uganda Army spokesman Colonel Felix Kulaigye told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that the helicopters had been purchased in 2003 and had a lifespan of more than 20 years, if well maintained.
He said they had been checked by a UN team before setting off and so a mechanical fault was "out of the question".
"We have ruled out foul play, an external attack," Col Kulaigye said, adding that an investigation had been launched.
The combat helicopters came down as they were flying from Uganda to Somalia to take part in an AU-led offensive to capture the port city of Kismayo from the militant Islamist group al-Shabab, correspondents say.
Ugandan troops form the bulk of the nearly 17,000-strong AU force in Somalia, where they are supporting the UN-backed government.
Although it has lost ground in the past year, al-Shabab, which has joined al-Qaeda, still controls many southern and central areas.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Russian general killed by car bomb in Moscow, officials say
3 minutes -
UCC appeals for financial clearance for recruitment
3 minutes -
Interior Minister commends Christian-Muslim Dialogue group for sustaining peace in Upper West
5 minutes -
It was love at first sight – John Kumah’s widow on how she met new husband
10 minutes -
Don’t credit SML exposure to OSP; it played no role – Dafeamakpor
15 minutes -
Nana Oye urges structured diaspora engagement as Ghana pushes 24-hour economy, export-led growth
22 minutes -
Trade Minister urges manufacturing firms to source locally to drive jobs, industrialisation
23 minutes -
Ghanaians must stop idolising political leaders; they’re servants of the people – Abu Jinapor
27 minutes -
NAPO questions selective renaming of public universities
29 minutes -
Mahama urges Africa-Diaspora unity as reparations debate takes centre stage at Accra summit
32 minutes -
Technical glitch at GRIDCo causes blackout in parts of Kumasi
34 minutes -
Dafeamakpor defends withdrawn OSP repeal bill, says move was to strengthen anti-corruption fight
38 minutes -
NAIMOS clamps down on illegal mining at Kwabeng, seizes excavators and pay loader
51 minutes -
Three-month-old baby, five others killed in late-night fire at Abuakwa Manhyia
1 hour -
Today’s Front pages: Monday, December 22, 2025
1 hour
