Two U.S. Black Hawks crashed after sunset Saturday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, killing 17 American soldiers and injuring five, the military said. Witnesses said the two aircraft collided in mid-air.
The US military did not say what caused the crash of the two helicopters. The crash took place about 6:30 p.m., about an hour after sundown, a military spokesman said, according to The AP.
One helicopter smashed into the roof of a house, witnesses said, and there were reports one of the aircraft was hit by ground fire. Five soldiers were injured and one was missing, the military said.
The U.S. command said one helicopter was carrying a quick reaction force and the other ferried soldiers on a transport mission in northern Iraq. "The cause of the incidents are under investigation," the statement said. "We will not speculate on the cause of these crashes."
