10 troops die in Venezuela chopper crash

Caracas, Aug 29 (IANS/EFE) Ten Venezuelan soldiers have died when their helicopter crashed in southwestern part of the country, an official said.

The accident occurred when the Russian-made MI-17 was taking off after leaving a military patrol on the ground in Apure state, said Luis Motta, general commander of the Bolivarian National Guard, Saturday. The soldiers were involved in anti-drug operation.

He said the “boys died doing their duty, their patriotic duty”, and offered condolences to the families of the victims on behalf of the armed forces. One drug trafficker was captured during the operation.

–IANS/EFE