APA-Lomé (Togo) – According to witnesses, several soldiers were injured and taken to the regional hospital (CHR) in Dapaong.
According to Africa Intelligence on 16 April, a helicopter belonging to the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT), which was taking part in a counter-insurgency operation against armed groups in Koundjoaré, crashed in the north of the country at around 1 p.m. on 4 April.
The aircraft, which took off from the Nioukpourma camp near Dapaong, was carrying weapons and ammunition to supply units in the Kpendjal region. Fifteen minutes into the flight, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing inside the camp.
Amateur footage showed thick black smoke billowing over the military base, followed by a series of explosions that completely destroyed the helicopter.
Witnesses said several injured soldiers were taken by ambulance from the camp to the Dapaong Regional Hospital Centre (CHR) on the afternoon of 4 April.
The crashed aircraft is believed to be one of three Russian-made Mil Mi-35 helicopters delivered to the FAT two years ago.
The Togolese defence ministry has not commented on the incident.
AC/lb/as/APA