Bodies of Four Italians Killed in Bosnia Helicopter Crash Return Home

An Italian CH-47 Chinook crashed on the afternoon of October 29 in Gorice, a village in the municipality of Brcko in northern Bosnia, according to Panorama. The helicopter was serving with the European Union's Operation Althea, Euronews reported.

The flight was a training exercise, according to La Repubblica. A subsequent report by Il Post said the crash happened shortly after takeoff, although the reason remained unknown.

On October 29, initial casualty reports differed. The Independent reported three deaths, while nu.nl reported four deaths and 12 injuries. Later coverage from ANSA put the toll at four dead and 11 injured.

TGcom24 identified the victims as Laura Procacci, Simone Ruggia, Claudio Marchesi and Franco Adriano Zecchillo. It reported that two belonged to the Italian army and two to the Italian Red Cross.

On October 30, ANSA reported that military prosecutors had opened an investigation and a Defence commission was at the scene. The following day, TGcom24 reported two investigations: a military inquiry into negligent loss of the aircraft and a civilian inquiry into disaster and negligent homicide. Both were proceeding against persons unknown.

On November 1, survivor Flavio Favari spoke from hospital in Tuzla, where he was being treated for fractures, according to Adnkronos. Fanpage identified him as the only survivor of the Red Cross medical team aboard, not the only survivor of the crash.

On November 2, a C130 carrying the four victims' bodies landed at Ciampino airport in Rome. Their families, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were there to receive them, Adnkronos reported.

The repatriation is complete. ANSA reported that Mattarella, Meloni, Crosetto and Tajani attended the arrival of the remains at Ciampino on November 2.

The cause remains unresolved in the supplied coverage. TGcom24 reported on October 30 that weather had been excluded and a mechanical failure was considered almost certain. That report described possible explanations, not a final investigative finding.

The central question is what caused the helicopter to crash just after takeoff. The military and civilian inquiries reported by TGcom24, alongside the Defence commission reported by ANSA, are the pending processes examining the incident. The supplied coverage gives no date for their findings.