United Nations Helicopter Crash in South Sudan Kills Three

By HEIDI VOGT
Updated Aug. 26, 2014 1:21 p.m. ET
NAIROBI—A United Nations cargo helicopter crashed in South Sudan, killing three crew members, the mission there said.

The helicopter was on a "routine cargo flight" Tuesday from the town of Wau to Bentiu, the U.N. said. The mission lost contact with the craft about 2:30 p.m. local time. The U.N. said it would begin an investigation as soon as possible.

The U.N. didn't describe the circumstances of the crash, but there has been fighting on and off in the area. Late last year, President Salva Kiir's former deputy, Riek Machar, led a mutiny against the state and now commands an army of rebel fighters that threaten the country's oil assets.

A U.N. official speaking anonymously told the Associated Press that the helicopter had been shot down, but that couldn't be immediately confirmed.

Toby Lanzer, the officer-in-charge of the U.N. mission in South Sudan, said he didn't know the cause of the crash or if there was gunfire in the area when it went down. He said the helicopter was carrying food rations.

The U.N. said a fourth crew member was injured but survived and was being treated by a Doctors Without Borders team in Bentiu.

Asked about the wounded crew member, Mr. Lanzer said, "He is a very lucky person, and it looks like he will pull through."