Colombia army helicopter crash

Colombia army helicopter crash

The helicopter is the pride of the Colombian army

A Colombian army Black Hawk helicopter has crashed in the north, killing all 23 soldiers aboard.

The army said the helicopter was lost in bad weather as it took part in an operation against left-wing rebels.

"The commander of the army and all its personnel express their solidarity with the valiant soldiers who have given their lives," an army statement said.

The Black Hawk crashed near the town of Curumani and Pailitas in Cesar province, about 500 kilometres (300 miles) north-east of the capital, Bogota.

The incident comes as Colombian forces continue searching for three US citizens abducted by left-wing rebels after their plane crash-landed in the south of the country on 13 February.

In October 2000, rebels shot down a Black Hawk, killing more than 20 personnel.

The state-of-the-art US-made helicopter can be used both as an attack helicopter and a troop transport.