Four Italian personnel lost their lives and 11 others sustained injuries after an Italian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 29 October 2026. The aircraft was deployed as part of the European Union Force (EUFOR) peacekeeping mission and was reportedly conducting a routine training activity when the accident occurred.
The crash took place near the village of Gorice in the Brčko District of north-eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 15 personnel were aboard the helicopter at the time of the incident. According to information released by Italian authorities, four people were killed, while the remaining 11 sustained injuries and were taken for medical treatment. The injured personnel were reported to be in stable condition, with none facing life-threatening injuries.
The fatalities included two members of the Italian Army and two personnel belonging to the Italian Red Cross’s Volunteer Military Corps. Emergency response teams, including local rescue services and EUFOR personnel, reached the crash location to assist those affected and coordinate recovery operations.
The European Union Force confirmed the loss of personnel and announced that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities have not yet established the precise cause of the crash, and further findings are expected as the investigation progresses. EUFOR also confirmed that the incident did not result in civilian casualties or reported damage to nearby civilian infrastructure, private property or vehicles.
The helicopter was operating in support of Operation Althea, the European Union’s military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Established in 2004, the operation was launched to support the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and contribute to maintaining a secure environment in the country following the Bosnian War. The multinational mission continues to work alongside local authorities and security institutions to preserve regional stability.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences following the tragedy, extending her thoughts to the families of those killed and to personnel involved in the peacekeeping mission. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also conveyed his grief over the loss of Italian personnel serving abroad.
The accident has drawn attention to the risks faced by military aviation personnel during overseas deployments and training activities. The CH-47 Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem-rotor heavy-lift helicopter manufactured by Boeing and widely operated by armed forces around the world. Its ability to transport troops, equipment and supplies makes it an important platform for military logistics, tactical transport and humanitarian support operations.
The investigation will focus on determining the factors that led to the helicopter’s crash. Further official information regarding the accident is expected once investigators have established the sequence of events and verified the available evidence.