Algeria Helicopter Crash: 12 Soldiers Dead After Chopper Crashes In The Sahara

Twelve Algerian soldiers were killed Sunday after their helicopter crashed in the Sahara, the Defense Ministry reportedly said. Two others were also injured in the incident.

The Mi-171 helicopter crashed during a reconnaissance mission between the towns of Adrar and Reggan in the Tamanrasset region, the Associated Press said, citing the ministry’s statement. Authorities reportedly said the crash occurred due to a “technical failure.”

The statement also said that the vice-minister of defense and army chief of staff Ahmed Gaid Salah "immediately ordered that an enquiry be established to determine the causes of the accident," Agence France-Presse reported.

In February 2014, an army plane crashed in east Algeria, killing 77 people.