The Sri Lankan Air Force has debunked reports circulating on certain media channels regarding an accident during peacekeeping duties. The Air Force clarifies that all five individuals, including the pilot of Flight 17, are safe and refutes claims that they are in the custody of a terrorist group.
According to the Air Force, the confusion arises from the conflation of two separate incidents. The accident reported two days ago and the recent incident are both related to aircraft involved in the operations of the World Food Organization in Somalia.
The Sri Lankan Army has not deployed peacekeeping forces in Somalia, as confirmed by the Air Force. The recent incident involved one of the three Type 17 helicopters during a cargo transport operation for the United Nations peacekeeping force, approximately 140 air miles northeast of Bria city.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident occurred yesterday (12) morning around 9.30 am during the landing of the Type 17 helicopter in challenging conditions with heavy dust. The Air Force announced that the pilot and the five crew members on board were not injured and are safe.
In response to the incident, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse dispatched a survey team to the location, and a special probe has been initiated by the Air Force Headquarters.
