A Macedonian Army MI-17 helicopter crashed Saturday 25 kilometers southeast of Skopje, near the Katlanovsko Blato area, authorities confirmed. No survivors have been reported, according to AP. Macedonian state radio reported that seven bodies have been found and four people are missing. The Defense Ministry confirmed the accident, the deadliest ever for the Macedonian air force. The helicopter was returning from Bosnia, where Macedonia contributes 30 troops to a peacekeeping mission. The number of soldiers on board was not specified, but the helicopter is operated by a crew of two. The accident took place in foggy conditions, minutes before landing. Macedonian radio reported the helicopter crashed around noon local time (1000GMT), and villagers nearby heard two explosions. Macedonian officials, including President Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska, were taken to the site immediately. «This is a terrible accident and a big tragedy. My condolences go to the families of the soldiers,» Gruevski said. The Macedonian government is holding an emergency cabinet meeting.
