Four Italian military personnel were killed and 11 others injured after an Italian military helicopter crashed in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The accident occurred in the Gorice area near Brčko in the northeastern part of the country during a routine training mission. The helicopter involved was a CH-47 Chinook operated by the Italian military. It was deployed as part of the European Union Force (EUFOR) Althea peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
15 People Were on Board
According to the Italian Defence Ministry, 15 people were aboard the helicopter when the crash occurred. Four personnel lost their lives, while the remaining 11 sustained injuries. The deceased included two members of the Italian Army and two members of the Italian Red Cross Volunteer Military Corps. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of military aviation operations in the region.
Rescue Teams Rushed to the Crash Site
Emergency services, including police officers, firefighters, medical teams and EUFOR personnel, reached the location following the crash. The injured were evacuated and taken to hospitals for medical treatment. EUFOR confirmed that all 11 injured personnel were in stable condition. It also stated that no civilians were injured in the incident and that there was no reported damage to nearby civilian property, vehicles or infrastructure.
Giorgia Meloni Expresses Condolences
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed grief over the deaths and extended her condolences to the families of the personnel who lost their lives.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also expressed his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. An investigation has been launched by the relevant authorities to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash. The cause of the accident has not yet been officially determined.