The defense ministry has confirmed that a Hungarian military helicopter crashed in Croatia while performing a training exercise.
One of two Airbus H145 helicopters crashed over central Croatia with three troops on board. The reasons behind the tragedy are as yet unknown. Two bodies have been recovered so far, the ministry said. The families are being notified, the statement said. President Katalin Novák expressed her condolences to the families of the soldiers and thanked the Croatian rescue teams for their efforts. Novák also thanked Croatian President Zoran Milanović for his support, who she said expressed his condolences by phone. Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky also voiced his condolences. He said a search for the third crew member was underway, adding that a committee from the Croatian air force, the country’s chief of staff and political leaders were at the site. Army chief Gábor Böröndi and an expert team are on their way to Croatia, he said. Details of the accident will be made public once the investigation is completed, he added. The minister declined to comment on press reports suggesting that the helicopter had collided with a steel cable.