A tragedy has bereaved Algeria today. A press release from the Ministry of National Defense announced, during this Monday evening January 23 2023, the death of three of its elements in a helicopter crash which took place around the locality of El-Attaf, in the wilaya of Aïn Defla.
The army helicopter, an MI -171, crashed in an agricultural field during a training exercise by hitting power cables, said several local sources. Following the accident, the three elements who were on board the aircraft perished. They are Colonel Menari Mourad, Major Dahmani Moussa Mohamed and Contract Sergeant Cheboue Oussama.
President Tebboune and the Chief of Staff, Saïd Chanegriha, offer their condolences to the families of the victims
Having been informed of the accident, the President of the Republic, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, presented his sincere condolences to the families of the three martyrs of the People’s National Army.
“Following the crash of a military helicopter carrying out a training mission in the region of El Attaf […]the President of the Republic, Supreme Head of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defence, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, presents his sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs […] “, we read in the message of condolences from the Presidency. A. Tebboune also offered his condolences to “all the elements of the People’s National Army (ANP)”.
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For his part, the Chief of Staff, Saïd Chanegriha, also expressed his condolences to the families of the three chouhada of the helicopter crash.
“During a planned training flight mission, an MI-171 type helicopter crashed in the afternoon of today, Monday January 23, 2023, near the locality of El Attaf , in the wilaya of Aïn Defla in the 1st Military Region, causing the death of Colonel Mourad Menari, Commander Moussa Mohamed Dahmani and Sergeant Oussama Cheboua”, specifies the press release from the MDN.
“In this painful ordeal, General of the Army Saïd Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, presents on his behalf and on behalf of all the personnel of the People’s National Army, his sincere condolences and deep compassion to the families and loved ones of the Chouhada, praying to Allah, the Almighty, to lend them strength and courage and to grant the Chouhada His Great Mercy”.
In addition, the Chief of Staff ordered the opening of an investigation to “determine the causes and circumstances of this accident”, adds the same source.
