A Mi-17 helicopter that was delivering humanitarian aid to thousands of stranded Yazidi refugees in the Sinjar Mountain range has crashed, an official says.
"Today a [helicopter] delivering aid to the refugees in Shingal Mountain lost its balance and crashed," a source told a local Kurdish media outlet.
The New York Times reported that the pilot was dead in the incident, which also reportedly injured Yezidi MP Vian Dakhil, a parliamentarian who delivered an emotional appeal to her colleages just last week. Her party later said she was going to be okay after the crash.
The crash also injured Alissa J. Rubin, the New York Times’s Paris bureau chief, who suffered "an apparent concussion and broken wrists," the Times reported. Adam Ferguson, a freelance photographer with the Times, was also on board.
There were approximately 20 newly-rescued refugees on board the plane, all of whom are now injured, Rudaw reports.
#Iraq-i Refugees, who felt close to freedom form harsh mountains when on board of the Heli, returned 2the reality of z lost mountain again— Elijah J Magnier (@EjmAlrai) August 12, 2014
The New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet issued a statement that said they've both been airlifted out of the region:
“Today Alissa J. Rubin, a correspondent for The New York Times and Adam Ferguson, a freelance photographer on assignment for The Times, were injured when an Iraqi military helicopter carrying aid to stranded refugees crashed in northern Iraq. They have been airlifted out of the region in order to receive medical care. Alissa is a close friend and one of our most esteemed journalists. Our thoughts and prayers are with both Alissa and Adam.”
A spokesman with Iraq's Army told Rudaw English the helicopter crashed due to a "technical error," while a source to the Kurdish news outlet blamed a loss of balance. Local media reports he simply lost control.
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Post by Rudaw English.
Channel 4 News Correspondent Jonathan Rugman accompanied an Iraq Army helicopter delivering aid on Monday, reporting on the chaotic scene they faced when it touched down atop the mountain. Rugman also said the crew was "taking greater risks" to get the Yazidis their much-needed aid.