Update at 21:13 on October 29
The Ministry of Defense officially confirmed the deaths of four Italian servicemembers in the helicopter accident involving the EUFOR Althea mission, which crashed on October 29, 2026, near Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The victims are two Italian Army servicemembers and two members of the Corpo Militare Volontario della Croce Rossa Italiana (CRI).
A total of 15 people were aboard the helicopter. The other 11 servicemembers were injured, but, according to the Ministry of Defense, none is currently in life-threatening condition.
The Ministry immediately ordered the deployment of an Italian medical team to provide the injured with the highest level of medical support and the best possible care.
The Ministry of Defense also stated that further details on the incident will be made public only after the families of the four fallen personnel have been informed, in full respect for their grief and dignity.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto expressed, on behalf of the entire defense establishment, his deep condolences and solidarity with the families of the victims, their loved ones, and colleagues, stressing that the tragic loss affects the entire defense community:
«At this time of immense grief, my thoughts first and foremost go to the families of our fallen personnel, to whom I extend my personal condolences and those of the entire defense establishment. There are no words capable of filling such a great loss. To our servicemembers who lost their lives in service to the country goes the gratitude of all Italy. We stand alongside the injured, their families, and all those experiencing these dramatic hours. The defense establishment is a community and, in the most difficult moments, it must demonstrate that it can be united, present, and capable of caring for its men and women».
Investigations to determine the causes of the accident remain underway.
Link: https://www.difesa.it/primopiano/comunicato-stampa/116536.html
Update at 20:58 on October 29
According to the latest updates, the toll stands at four dead and 11 injured. The deceased reportedly include two members of the Corpo Militare della Croce Rossa Italiana.
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, expressed his condolences in a message addressed to the Chief of the Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano.
The full message from President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella
“I learned with profound sorrow of the death of the service members in the tragic helicopter accident in the Bosnian operational theater as part of Operation 'Althea'. In these sad circumstances, please convey to the Esercito Italiano and the Corpo Militare della Croce Rossa my condolences and heartfelt solidarity in the grief caused by this tragic event, asking them to express my closeness and solidarity to the victims' families”.
Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, in a message addressed to the Capo di Stato Maggiore della Difesa, Generale Luciano Portolano.
Update at 20:05 on October 29
Italy's Ambassador to Sarajevo, Sarah Eti Castellani, announced that she was traveling to the site of the Italian military helicopter crash that occurred on the afternoon of October 29, 2026, in Brčko, northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Speaking live on Tg4, the Ambassador stated:
«Unfortunately, this helicopter from the EUFOR Althea military mission crashed this afternoon in the northeast of the country».
Castellani further clarified that the circumstances of the crash have not yet been determined:
«EUFOR has confirmed that it is an Italian Army helicopter. The circumstances of the accident, which reportedly occurred during takeoff from Brcko airport, are not yet clear».
The Ambassador finally confirmed the presence of 15 Italians on board, stressing that the number of dead and injured remains uncertain:
«We know that there are fatalities and injuries, but the number is still uncertain. There were 15 Italians on board».
Update at 20:02 on October 29
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X:
Deeply saddened, I stand with our armed forces following the tragedy in Bosnia. My thoughts are with the victims' families. A terrible tragedy that shakes the hearts of all Italians. Italy's Ambassador to Sarajevo is already traveling to Brcko, the site of the accident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide all necessary support. A prayer for our fallen and injured personnel in the line of duty.
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) October 29, 2026
Update at 19:55 on October 29
An Italian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter, deployed on the EUFOR Althea operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, crashed this afternoon, October 29, in the Brčko region. The causes of the accident are still under investigation. Emergency responders intervened at the crash site.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences:
The Ministry of Defense officially confirmed the accident, specifying that no further statements can be made at this time pending more precise information, particularly regarding the health conditions of the personnel involved. Link: https://www.difesa.it/primopiano/comunicato-stampa/116536.html
No official Italian casualty or injury figures are yet available, nor have their identities been released.
Updates will follow.
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