Filipinos killed in Afghan crash

Russian media say the aircraft was an Mi-8 similar to this

Ten civilians from the Philippines were among 16 people killed in a weekend helicopter crash at a military base in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

A consular official is on the way to Afghanistan to get more details, the Philippines foreign ministry said.

Investigations would also be made into how the Filipinos were in the country, despite a government ban.

The civilian-contracted helicopter crashed on Sunday on take-off from Kandahar airfield.

The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said the helicopter was not shot down by insurgents.

The crash was the second in a week. Six passengers died when a helicopter came down in Helmand province on Tuesday.

RECENT HELICOPTER CRASHES 14 Jul 2009: Six Ukrainian civilians and Afghan girl die in crash in Helmand. Suspected enemy fire 6 Jul 2009: One UK and two Canadian soldiers die in crash in Zabul province. Enemy fire not suspected 15 Jan 2009: Afghan general and 12 other soldiers die in crash in Herat province. Bad weather blamed 30 May 2007: Seven killed as Nato Chinook crashes in Helmand. Cause unclear

Russian news agencies reported the aircraft was an Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Russian company Vertikal-1.

About 1,000 Filipinos worked and lived in Afghanistan before Manila banned its nationals from working there in the wake of the 2001 US-led invasion.

Vice President Noli de Castro has said about 1,500 Filipinos are working in Afghanistan, attracted by the high wages.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the victims' next of kin are being informed.

A Filipino carpenter at Kandahar Air Base was killed in a rocket attack in March.