Tragedy struck in Kenya as a military helicopter crashed in the western part of the country, claiming the lives of five soldiers on Thursday, according to a police source.
Three other soldiers aboard the helicopter sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital, the police source revealed, preferring to remain anonymous.
The helicopter went down in Elgeyo-Marakwet county, as confirmed by the president’s spokesman, who refrained from providing further details regarding casualties.
Kenyan President William Ruto has called for an urgent meeting of the National Security Council at State House Nairobi this evening in response to a helicopter crash involving the Kenya Defence Forces this afternoon, as reported by Hussein Mohamed on X.
According to government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, a statement regarding the crash will be forthcoming on social media.
Despite multiple attempts, Defence Minister Aden Duale did not respond to Reuters’ calls to his telephone.
This latest incident follows a tragic event in June 2021 when at least 10 soldiers lost their lives in a helicopter crash during landing near the capital Nairobi.
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