DAY OF MOURNING OVER TRAGIC DEATH OF FOUR EUFOR MEMBERS

BRČKO, OCTOBER 30 /SRNA/ - Brčko Mayor Siniša Milić has declared today a Day of Mourning over the tragic death of four members of EUFOR from the Italian armed forces, who were killed in a helicopter crash in Brčko yesterday.

"These are soldiers from the peacekeeping forces engaged in preserving peace and stability in BiH. This is a symbolic way to express our solidarity with the families of the victims and the entire Italian people," Milić said

Milić stressed that special thanks are due to the helicopter pilots, who tried to keep the aircraft in the air so that it would not crash into populated areas, therefore preventing civilian casualties.

The Day of Mourning will be marked today by lowering BiH flags to half-mast on all District institutions, as well as by adjusting the programming of media broadcasting in Brčko.

EUFOR said last night that two members of the Italian Armed Forces and two members of the Italian Military Red Cross were killed in the crash of the Italian helicopter near Brčko, while 11 people were injured.

Two of the injured were transferred to a medical facility in Tuzla for further treatment, and nine are being treated in Brčko.