Italian Military Helicopter Crash in Bosnia Kills Four and Injures Eleven

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift military helicopter operated by the Italian Army crashed on October 29, 2026, near the village of Gorice in the Brcko District of northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in four fatalities and eleven injuries. The aircraft was conducting a routine training operation as part of the European Union Force (EUFOR) Althea peacekeeping mission when the accident occurred.

The Italian Ministry of Defence confirmed that all fifteen occupants on board were Italian military personnel or affiliated staff. Among the four deceased were Army Aviation Command (AVES) Sergeant Simone Ruggia, who served as the pilot, and Sergeant Claudio Marchesi, an aircraft specialist from the 1st Regiment Antares based in Viterbo. The other two victims were Lieutenant Doctor Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sergeant Nurse Laura Procacci, both members of the Italian Red Cross Volunteer Military Corps.

According to local and international officials, the eleven surviving personnel sustained injuries ranging in severity. While initial local reports varied regarding the critical nature of some patients, the Italian Ministry of Defence later stated that none of the injuries were life-threatening. Emergency medical services and EUFOR personnel transported the injured to medical facilities in Brcko, with two individuals subsequently transferred to a hospital in Tuzla for specialized care. An Italian medical team was also dispatched to provide additional support.

The accident site, situated in an unpopulated area away from civilian infrastructure, suffered no collateral property damage. Brcko District Mayor Sinisa Milic confirmed that no civilians were harmed during the crash. Footage circulating on social media showed the tandem-rotor aircraft rotating and descending rapidly shortly before impact, prompting significant interest from aviation experts examining the possible technical or mechanical factors involved.

Authorities have not yet established a definitive cause for the crash. While weather conditions in the region at the time of the incident were reported as acceptable with mild temperatures and minimal cloud cover, investigators are analyzing available wreckage, onboard flight data, and witness accounts. Both EUFOR and the Italian military have launched independent, thorough investigations to determine whether mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic issues contributed to the loss of control.

The aircraft involved was an ICH-47F, the Italian configuration of the widely used Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopter. Known for its tandem-rotor design and heavy-lift capabilities, the platform serves as a critical logistical asset for military and peacekeeping operations worldwide. The helicopter involved in the incident had departed from Viterbo, Italy, stopping at Pratica di Mare military airport before arriving in the deployment area.

Leaders from Italy and the European peacekeeping mission expressed profound grief over the tragedy. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto conveyed his condolences to the families of the fallen, stating that his thoughts were with them during a moment of immense sorrow. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also shared words of support for the victims and the personnel working to maintain peace and stability in the region.

EUFOR Althea has maintained a military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina since December 2004, operating under a United Nations Security Council mandate to support the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and ensure a secure environment. The Italian contingent represents a substantial portion of the international force, utilizing assets such as the Chinook fleet to support logistical and transport operations across the Balkans.