Two RAF members among five killed in Afghan helicopter accident

Two British troops have been killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said last night.

The RAF personnel died after the UK Puma Mk 2 helicopter crashed while landing at the headquarters of Nato's Resolute Support mission in the capital, Kabul.

They were among five people killed in the crash, while five others were injured.

An MoD spokeswoman said: “The incident is currently under investigation but we can confirm that it was an accident and not the result of insurgent activity.

“The family of the two personnel who were killed have been informed and requested a period of grace before their names are released.”

The two British personnel were from 230 and 33 Squadrons, both of which are based at RAF Benson, between Oxford and Reading.

Resolute Support is a Nato-led mission to train and assist Afghan security forces, following the stand-down of the International Security Assistance Force last year. – (PA)