AThe armed forces say the device was carrying five soldiers and three employees from the Risk Management Secretariat, as well as humanitarian aid for areas in the province of Pastaza affected by floods.
In a statement, the army added that the helicopter, which was traveling between the city of Shell and the community of Tiwino, crashed at 9:36 am (2:36 pm in Lisbon).
The armed forces implemented a search operation, in which two light helicopters participated, and located the wreckage of the aircraft almost five hours after the crash.
The weather conditions did not allow the bodies to be recovered on Friday and operations will continue today, added the army, which has already ordered the opening of an investigation into the causes of the accident.
“We, soldiers, are in solidarity with the families of our five brave soldiers who served their country with total dedication and professionalism, despite the risk that the military profession represents, and with three exemplary Ecuadorian citizens”, said the armed forces, which committed to providing the necessary assistance.
Even before the discovery of the bodies, the President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa lamented on the social network X (formerly Twitter) “the tragic accident suffered by soldiers and public servants providing humanitarian aid in the Tiwino region”.
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