Helicopter crash kills 12 in northern Afghanistan
What's the story
At least 12 people were killed, including two Ukrainians, when a helicopter crashed in northern Afghanistan on Sunday, Afghan and foreign officials said.
The aircraft, owned by a Moldovan company, was carrying 14 people including 11 members of Afghan security forces when it crashed in the northern province of Balkh, the Moldovan aviation authority said in a statement.
Here's more.
Death toll
The munitions on helicopter burned bodies beyond recognition
The two Ukrainians killed were crew members, the statement said. A third Ukrainian crew member survived the crash.
An Afghan security source confirmed the death toll. Another Afghan security source put the death toll at 13, with only the foreign pilot surviving the accident.
The helicopter was carrying munitions and exploded on impact, burning bodies "beyond recognition", the Afghan sources said.
Helicopter crash
Helicopter crashed due to 'technical problems' shortly after taking off
The helicopter crashed due to "technical problems" shortly after taking off in Dehdadi district, said Nazer Khuda Pamiri, deputy commander of Afghan forces in northern Afghanistan.
It was transporting Afghan security forces from a military base to the volatile northwestern province of Faryab.
Defense Ministry deputy spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the helicopter belonged to a private company and had been hired by the Ministry.