8 UN peacekeepers killed in Congo helicopter crash

Africa, News March 30, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Six Pakistani soldiers, one Russian and one Serb killed in a helicopter crash

Eight United Nations peacekeepers died in a helicopter crash in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on March 29, the UN peacekeeping mission confirmed.

Six of the crew members were from Pakistan Army, and two were from Russia and Serbia, the UN peacekeeping mission said in a statement. There were no survivors. “We offer our condolences to the government and families” of the eight UN peacekeepers, UN Congo mission MONUSCO said in a statement.

The UN helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission when it went down over North Kivu which has been witnessing heavy fighting between the Congolese military and the rebel group known as M23. UN Mission in Congo and the Pakistan government did not mention the cause of the crash and said the investigation continues. The Congolese army FARDC assumed that the UN mission helicopter was shot down by the rebel group M23.

However, the M23 spokesperson Will Ngoma denied that the rebel group shot down the UN helicopter and blamed the Congo’s military for firing on the helicopter.

According to sources, the search and rescue operation recovered and brought back the dead bodies of the peacekeeping troops to Goma city.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN said that they “are in constant touch with the UN authorities to facilitate and expedite the early repatriation of the mortal remains,” and to ascertain the details and cause of the helicopter crash.

*^{Pakistani peacekeepers conducted a joint mission with Congo’s army in the village of Kanga, South Kivu, on March 28, 2022. (Image Credit: Twitter/@MonuscoF)}*

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his “deep shock and grief” over the incident and paid tribute to the global peace effort by the country’s armed forces.

Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram said in a condolence message that the six soldiers “made this ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the UN contingent. My heart goes out to the families of the martyrs. They will always be in our prayers”

Pakistani officials paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and extended “deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.” In an official statement, the foreign minister also remembered and honored 157 of Pakistan’s peacekeepers who have fallen in the line of duty while serving in UN missions.

Pakistan is one of the top troop-contributing countries to UN missions. The country has deployed over 200,000 soldiers at 46 UN Missions in almost all continents of the world. “Through their professionalism and dedication, our peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in every mission they have participated” in, Pakistan foreign office said.