Third airman involved in helicopter crash found in Croatia

The on-site inspection is still ongoing together with the Croatian and Hungarian authorities. The wreckage and all pieces found in the area will be collected and transported to Hungary for further analysis. The mortal remains of the Hungarian airman – similarly to those of his two comrades found earlier – will be transported to Split.

At the Croatian location, the Chief of the HDF General Staff was personally informed about the process and circumstances of the search, but his most important goal was to meet the personnel present on the spot. Lieutenant General Gábor Böröndi informed the press that the entire personnel participating in the training would return home by land in the coming days.

He said that the site of the accident is extremely difficult terrain, which significantly complicates the process of the search and rescue and the investigations. This is why the comprehensive investigation is expected to take longer, also due to physical exposure, he added.

The Chief of the General Staff emphasized that for this reason, it is not yet possible to confirm the speculations published in the press, and the circumstances of the accident will be determined by a Croatian––Hungarian expert committee working on the spot.

Lieutenant General Gábor Böröndi also said that the Ministry of Defence and the Szolnok unit (HDF 86th Helicopter Wing) are providing all possible assistance to the next of kin of the deceased airmen.

The Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces would like to thank the Croatian armed forces and the partner organizations for their cooperative assistance with the search and rescue, the investigation and the support.

Press release of the Ministry of Defence