Eight Personnel Lost, 14 Injured In Mishap

US officials tell ANN eight coalition personnel were killed, and 14 others were wounded early Sunday when a coalition CH-47 Chinook helicopter had a sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed in eastern Afghanistan.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately to secure the site, recover the passengers and transport wounded personnel to coalition medical facilities for treatment.

The helicopter (file photo of type, below) was transporting a total of 22 people, including aircrew, at the time of the crash.

"The loss of these servicemembers is felt by all of us here in Afghanistan, and we offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who were killed," said Lt. Col. David Accetta, coalition spokesman.

Recent reporting indicated a Taliban build up for operations against the coalition forces in the region. The Associated Press reports the helo came down in the Shahjoi district of Zabul province.

"It was not enemy fire related," said Col. Tom Collins, spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force. "The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We're confident it was not due to enemy action."

The names of those involved in the incident are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The specific location and details of the incident will not be released until the completion of recovery operations.

An investigation will be conducted to verify the cause of the crash.

FMI: www.dod.mil