Canadian forces helicopter involved in NATO surveillance missing in international waters between Greece and Italy, where search operations are underway, official sources said on Wednesday evening .
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) explained that contact with the helicopter, a CH-148 Cyclone deployed on the frigate HMCS Fredericton , was "lost while participating in exercises with Allied members near the Greece ”, in a message posted on Facebook and Twitter.
"Search and rescue efforts continue," they added without specifying the number of people aboard the plane, while a Greek military source earlier mentioned the presence of six people. The frigate and the missing helicopter have been deployed since January 20, 2020 in the framework of operation "Reassurance", according to the website of the Canadian Ministry of Defense.
"50 nautical miles off the Greek island of Kefalonia"
Shortly before, the NATO military command established in Mons, Belgium had confirmed "the disappearance of a helicopter", stressing that "search operations were under way". "I confirm that there was an incident involving a helicopter from a building that was under NATO command," said Colonel Juanita Chang, quoted in an Atlantic Alliance statement sent to AFP. , without giving more details.
This building is part of the naval forces of NATO SNMG2, according to a source from the Greek Ministry of Defense. According to initial information from a Greek military source, this aircraft was outside the control zone of Greece, "50 nautical miles off the Greek island of Kefalonia, in the area covered by Italy, and participated in a surveillance operation of the area "by the Atlantic Alliance.
On Tuesday, this surveillance operation took place in Greek waters and, in addition to the Canadian ship, Italian, Greek and Turkish frigates had participated in it, said a source of the Greek Ministry of Defense. But on Wednesday, NATO forces left Greek waters and the Greek frigate withdrew from the operation, staying in Greece's territorial waters. Greek naval and air forces are ready to contribute to a rescue operation "if Italy requests it," a military source, who requested anonymity, told AFP.
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