Afghanistan Chopper Collision Leaves 9 Dead

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Nine people were killed after two Afghan army helicopters collided in midair in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province Tuesday night.

This is according to the country's Defense Ministry on Wednesday.

The accident occurred in Nawa-i-Barakzayi district when two Afghan National Army military Mi-17 helicopters crashed due to technical issues while they were taking off, the ministry said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, nine individuals aboard were martyred in the crash. Ministry of Defense is investigating the incident," the statement added Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier in the day, local media reported that 15 people were killed in the accident in the region, 555 km south of Kabul.

The province has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent days after hundreds of Taliban members from two neighboring provinces joined local Taliban members and tried to capture Lashkar Gah.

On Sept. 24, an Afghan Air Force attack helicopter crashed due to technical failure in northern Baghlan province, killing two pilots.