MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan – A Red Cross helicopter that had been used for earthquake relief in Pakistan since October was missing Sunday with a crew of seven aboard, the aid agency said.
The Mi-8 helicopter, operated by Turkmenistan Airlines, lost contact with Pakistani air control just before entering Afghanistan on Saturday, the International Red Cross said.
The crew members are employees of Turkmenistan Airlines, and there were no Red Cross staff on board.
The region in which the helicopter is believed to have disappeared is covered with desolate mountains, but was not having bad weather at the time, said James Reynolds, deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Pakistan.
The tense Afghanistan-Pakistan border region is a stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaida militants, who often clash with government and U.S.-led coalition forces.
Red Cross helicopter used for quake relief missing
Daily Emerald
January 22, 2006
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