Government expresses sorrow for casualties in helicopter wreck - Government Laments Perished Lives in Helicopter Tragedy
In a tragic turn of events, a German Armed Forces helicopter, an EC-135, crashed during a training flight near Grimma in Saxony on July 29, 2025. The incident occurred into the Mulde River, resulting in two confirmed fatalities and one crew member still missing.
The crash site was discovered by canoeists, and an extensive search involving over 100 emergency responders, including police divers, is currently underway to locate the missing crew member. Environmental precautions have been taken due to kerosene leaking from the helicopter, with a boom deployed in the river to contain pollution during search and recovery operations.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, representing the German Federal Government, has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He confirmed that the deceased belonged to Helicopter Wing 64 of the Air Force. Pistorius affirmed that "everything possible" is being done to investigate the crash's circumstances, though the exact cause remains unknown.
The Federal Ministry of Defense in Berlin is involved in the investigation, which will examine all possible categories, including structures, technology, and human behavior. The intention of the investigation is to draw the right conclusions so that similar incidents don't occur in the future.
The helicopter was flying at low altitude, possibly below 500 feet (about 150 meters), which is part of the training program for helicopter crews. This training can include flying under power lines or bridges, as this may also be necessary in combat.
Tuesday was a very dark day due to the accident, according to the deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille. He further stated that a third crew member is missing following the helicopter crash. The Federal Government paid tribute to the victims of this tragic incident.
The search for the missing crew member continues, and no new public information is available yet regarding the missing crew member's status or any preliminary findings on the crash cause beyond the ongoing investigation. The investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash has begun, and no further comments have been made about the cause of the helicopter crash by the Federal Ministry of Defense.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic event. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The Community policy of the German federal government, in response to the tragic helicopter crash, is prioritizing a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident to prevent similar incidents in the future. Thisgeneral-news story, concerning the German Armed Forces helicopter crash, has also highlighted the importance of vocational training for helicopter crews, as the crash occurred during a training flight. Despite the ongoing search and recovery efforts, three tragic accidents resulting in the loss of life and one crew member still missing have become a focus of local politics.
