Five Dead in Sri Lanka Military Helicopter Crash

COLOMBO (News 1st); Five military personnel have been confirmed dead following the crash of a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter into the Maduru Oya Reservoir earlier this morning, according to SLAF Spokesperson Group Captain Eranda Geeganage.

The helicopter, which departed from the Hingurakgoda Air Force Base at 6:47 a.m., was on a drill exhibition over the Maduru Oya area when it crashed at approximately 8:17 a.m.

Group Captain Geeganage stated that the deceased include three members of the Sri Lanka Army’s Special Forces and two Air Force personnel.

The aircraft was carrying a total of 12 individuals, including six Army Special Forces members, two Air Force Regiment Special Forces personnel, two other Air Force members, and two pilots.

This is a developing story.