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One soldier died and four were injured after a Czech military helicopter crashed at an air base in the southeast of the Czech Republic on Thursday, according to the country’s armed forces.
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The military said the crash occurred at the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base in Náměšť nad Oslavou. The aircraft involved was a UH-1Y Venom military helicopter, it added.
“At this exceptionally difficult time, we express our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family, loved ones, friends and colleagues of the deceased,” the armed forces said in a statement. “Our top priority now is to provide all possible care and support to the injured soldiers and their loved ones”.
An investigation into the incident is underway. All of the military’s H-1 helicopters have been grounded until it is completed, per the statement.
Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna called the incident an “immense tragedy” and said it had “deeply affected us all.”
“Emergency services and the investigation commission are currently at the scene, working to determine the circumstances and causes of this incident,” he added.
Images captured by local media show what appears to be the crash site, with emergency personnel surrounding a crumpled fuselage and tail boom.