Six killed in Iraq helicopter crash

BAGHDAD - An Iraqi military helicopter crashed near the holy city of Karbala, killing all six crew members, a security source said Wednesday.

The incident took place overnight when a sandstorm brought the helicopter down in the al-Ibrahimiyah area in east Karbala, about 110 km south of Baghdad, Xinhua quoted the source as saying.

The helicopter was part of the security measures tasked with protecting hundreds of thousands of Shia pilgrims who came from across the country to gather in Karbala for a major Shia ritual.