# Italian military helicopter crash in Bosnia

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-military-helicopter-crash-in-bosnia
> Updated: 2026-10-31T06:27:08.000Z. Sources: 390. Developments: 3.

An Italian CH 47 Chinook helicopter crashed near the village of Gorice in the Brcko district of Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 29, 2026. The aircraft was conducting a routine training mission as part of the EUFOR Althea peacekeeping operation.

The accident resulted in the deaths of four military personnel: Sergeants Simone Ruggia and Claudio Marchesi from the Italian Army Aviation, and Lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sergeant Laura Procacci from the Italian Red Cross Voluntary Military Corps. Of the 15 people on board, 11 others were injured. The injured received treatment in Brcko and Tuzla and were reported to be in stable condition.

EUFOR has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash, noting that no civilian infrastructure or personnel were affected. Brcko Mayor Siniša Milić confirmed that no civilian property or vehicles were damaged. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto traveled to Bosnia to visit the injured, accompanied by military medical specialists.

In Rome, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto held a memorial at the Circo Massimo to honor the victims. The government designated the Defense Village as a place for citizens to leave flowers and messages of respect.

Multiple judicial and technical inquiries are now underway. In Rome, the military prosecutor has opened an exploratory proceeding, while the ordinary prosecutor has opened a file for manslaughter. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, authorities have ordered the formation of a specialized aviation accident investigation team. Preliminary hypotheses being examined include a rotor malfunction that may have caused the aircraft to lose control, or a potential collision with high-voltage power lines, as reported by witnesses who observed the helicopter flying at low altitude before the impact.

## Claims

- Three people died in the crash. (reported by 34 sources)
- Twelve people were injured in the crash. (reported by 34 sources)
- Four Italian military and Red Cross personnel were killed in the crash. (reported by 31 sources)
- Eleven people were injured in the crash. (reported by 19 sources)
- The aircraft involved was a CH-47 Chinook. (reported by 44 sources)
- The helicopter was participating in the Eufor Althea operation. (reported by 29 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-31: Italian Chinook helicopter crash in Bosnia triggers multiple investigations

Authorities in Italy and Bosnia are investigating the crash of an Italian Chinook helicopter that killed four military personnel and injured eleven during a mission near Brčko.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-chinook-helicopter-crash-in-bosnia-triggers-multiple-investigations

### 2026-10-30: Giorgia Meloni honors Italian military victims of Bosnia helicopter crash

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto honored four military members killed in a Bosnia helicopter crash at a memorial in Rome.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/giorgia-meloni-honors-four-italian-military-members-killed-in-bosnia

### 2026-10-29: EUFOR Italian Chinook helicopter crashes in Bosnia

An Italian CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed during a routine EUFOR mission near Brčko, Bosnia, killing four Italian military and Red Cross personnel and injuring 11 others.

380 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-montenegro-family-tragedy-leaves-three-minors-orphaned

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Cite as: Italian military helicopter crash in Bosnia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-military-helicopter-crash-in-bosnia
