Taiwan’s top military official and two major generals among eight people killed in chopper crash
Taiwan’s military chief of staff and seven others were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in a mountainous region in northern Taiwan on Thursday morning, officials said.
Chief of general staff General Shen Yi-ming, two major generals – Political Warfare Bureau deputy director Yu Chin-wen and Hung Hung-chin from the defense ministry – were the top commanders who died in the helicopter crash. A lieutenant colonel, a captain, a major and two senior master sergeants were also killed in the accident.
“Five have survived while the other eight of our colleagues on board were killed. We are deeply saddened … and give our condolences to their families,” Air Force Commander Hsiung Hou-chi told reporters.
The helicopter carrying 13 people disappeared from radar less than 15 minutes after taking off, according to Hsiung.
“My deepest condolences go out to the outstanding servicemen lost in today’s helicopter crash, as well as their families,” Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on Twitter. She also vowed to investigate the cause of the crash.
After the tragedy, Tsai announced to cancel all campaign activities for three days. “I have asked the defense minister to maintain stable military morale at this time to ensure steady military and defense operations for the safety and stability of Taiwan,” she added.
Taiwan has grounded 52 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters – 14 in the Air Force and 30 in the Army fleet – for inspections of dynamic, radar and control systems, as well as fuselage structure, a military spokesman said. Taiwan’s National Airborne Service Corps has also suspended training operations with its eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
The accident occurred just days before Taiwan is set for elections set for January 11 to elect a new president.
