"Hostile Fire Has Been Ruled Out"

ANN is sad to report the loss of seven soldiers onboard a US Army CH-47 Chinook, that crashed early Thursday in Iraq.

The Associated Press reports the Chinook crashed shortly after midnight, about 60 miles from Basra. The helicopter was part of a four-ship convoy flying from Kuwait to Balad Air Base north of Baghdad.

"At this time we are uncertain of the cause, but hostile fire has been ruled out," military spokesman Maj. John Hall said. "The other three helicopters in the flight did not have incident or injury."

The accident is the deadliest US helicopter mishap in over a year. Fourteen soldiers were killed in August 2007, when their UH-60 Black Hawk crashed in northern Iraq.

"It is a tough day for the coalition and we are deeply saddened by the loss of our soldiers," said spokesman Col. Bill Buckner. "Our prayers and condolences go out to the families during this difficult and tragic incident."

British soldiers in control of the Basra region quickly secured the accident site, and an investigation is underway. The military has not released the names of those persons onboard.

FMI: www.defenselink.mil