Three people have been killed after a United Nations helicopter crashed in South Sudan, with unconfirmed reports that it had been shot down.
The helicopter crew were all Russian citizens. The helicopter’s owners, Russian airline UTair, stated that,
"According to preliminary information, the helicopter was shot down with surface-to-air fire."
One crew member survived and is currently reciving hospital treatment.
A United Nations official told AP news agency that the Mi-8 helicopter was shot down.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) meanwhile, stated it is “launching an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.”
The incident comes after South Sudanese rebel commander Peter Gadet warned the United Nations not to fly any aircraft over territory which his group currently controls, according to the governor of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state, Akol Ayom Wek.