French military heli down

[sky2000]

French helicopter in Gabon crash


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45386000/gif/_45386878_gabon_portgentil_226.gif
A military helicopter with 10 French soldiers on board has crashed into the sea off the African state of Gabon, killing at least one.
The French military say three soldiers survived but six are missing.
Officials say the helicopter had come down near the coastal city of Port Gentil during a joint exercise with Gabonese troops.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has ordered defence minister to fly to Gabon to oversee the rescue operation.
There is no word on the cause of the crash, which occurred shortly after take-off. BBC News

Very bad start into a new year. My thoughts are with all connected to any of the crashes.
sky2000

[206Fan]

Sounds like one of their pumas.

[libecciu]

L'accident de l'hélicoptère de type Cougar, à bord duquel se trouvaient dix militaires français, s'est produit samedi vers 20h (19h GMT) lors d'un exercice bilatéral au large du village côtier de Nyogne, situé entre Libreville et le port pétrolier de Port Gentil, considéré comme la capitale économique du pays.
L'hélicoptère a plongé dans les eaux glaciales de l'océan Atlantique peu après son décollage du TCD Foudre, qui participait à un exercice conjoint de formation, a expliqué le lieutenant-colonel Pascal Carpentier, porte-parole des forces françaises au Gabon. Il a expliqué que la cause de l'accident restait inconnue.
Les équipes de secours avaient initialement repêché dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche le corps sans vie d'un des militaires et trois survivants. L'un d'eux a ensuite succombé à ses blessures lors de son transport à l'hôpital gabonais de Melen.

[Phil77]

The above post translated with google:


The crash of the Cougar helicopter, on which is Ten French soldiers, occurred Saturday around 20h (19h GMT) during a bilateral exercise off the coastal village of Nyogne, situated between Libreville and oil port of Port Gentil, considered the economic capital.
The helicopter plunged into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean shortly after takeoff from TCD Lightning, who participated in joint training, "said Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Carpentier, spokesman of French forces in Gabon. He explained that the cause of the accident remained unknown.
The rescue teams initially recovered in the night from Saturday to Sunday the lifeless body of one of the military and three survivors. One of them later succumbed to his injuries during his transport to hospital gabonais Melen.



Maybe I should start to post in german from now on... :E

[S.F.L.Y]

Maybe I should start to post in german from now on... http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gif

As it concerns a French helicopter I'd say that a French post is better than nothing for those who might be directly concerned. Anyway thanks for the translation.

[Elrico]

Saturday around 8:08 local time (1908GMT) a Cougar helicopter went down in the sea off coast of GABON (west Africa)shortly after take off from a ship " La foudre" .The crash occured 30 miles off gabonese coast.This helicopter was participating at a conjoint exercise between french and gabonese army to coordonate safety maritime operation. 10 people was onboard 4 crews and 6 special forces.
Sunday official confirm to found 5 soldats dead ,3 survivors and 2 missing. Rescue continue.:bored: