6 succumb to injuries in Sri Lankan air force helicopter crash

A helicopter flies to Polonnaruwa to take part in rescue operations after a helicopter crash in Sri Lanka, April 9, 2025. Six military personnel succumbed to their injuries after a Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir in the country's North Central Province on Friday morning, said a spokesperson. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Six military personnel succumbed to their injuries after a Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir in the country's North Central Province on Friday morning, said a spokesperson.

Air force spokesperson Eranda Geeganage said 12 people, including two pilots, were on board at the time of the crash, and six of them have succumbed to their injuries, after being sent to regional hospitals.

The other six are still in the hospital, Geeganage said.

Earlier, Geeganage said that all the 12 on board were safe and had been sent to hospitals for treatment.

The incident took place during a demonstration held as part of a passing-out ceremony for the Sri Lanka Air Force. ■

An ambulance carrying injured people runs to a hospital after a helicopter crash near Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, April 9, 2025. Six military personnel succumbed to their injuries after a Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir in the country's North Central Province on Friday morning, said a spokesperson. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)