A Tunisian army helicopter has reportedly disappeared with four crew members on board, sparking fears of a crash, according to a statement released by the country’s defense ministry on Thursday.
The aircraft, which was last seen on radar screens during a nocturnal flight over Cape Serrat, has since vanished, raising concerns for the safety of those on board.
In an unfortunate development, the Tunisian navy has confirmed the retrieval of two bodies from the sea, following the assumed crash of the missing military helicopter. The defense ministry released the news in a statement issued on Thursday. Meanwhile, navy divers are continuing their search efforts for the two still unaccounted for individuals.
In their statement, the defense ministry said, “A full range of land, sea, and air resources have been deployed in cooperation with the interior ministry. The primary objective is to locate the aircraft and determine the fate of its four-member crew.”
Historically, the Tunisian military has experienced several losses of aircraft involved in training or reconnaissance missions over the recent years.
A notable instance occurred in October 2021, when a tragic night-time exercise in the southern province of Gabes resulted in the loss of an army helicopter and the death of three soldiers. The official investigation into that accident is ongoing, with findings yet to be released.
The fate of the missing helicopter and its crew members remains uncertain at this point, pending further investigation and search efforts.
