Helicopter crash in Saxony, Germany results in two fatalities - Helicopter from Bundeswehr meets unfortunate crash in Saxony, resulting in two casualties.
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A tragic incident occurred in Saxony, Germany, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, when a Bundeswehr EC135 helicopter crashed into the Mulde River near Grimma during a training flight.
The helicopter, which was rented for pilot training, was performing a low-altitude maneuver when it disappeared from radar between 10:00 and 10:30 AM. Two experienced crew members were confirmed dead, with a third still missing as search operations continue.
The crash site, located near Schmorditz in the Leipzig district, has been cordoned off as a military restricted area by the Bundeswehr after the incident. An oil barrier was set up in the Mulde due to leaking kerosene, complicating recovery efforts.
A large number of personnel from fire departments, police, Bundeswehr, and the Technical Relief Agency were on site at one point, with more than a hundred personnel involved in the search and rescue operations. Police divers were also present at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Office ordered a no-fly zone in the area, and the air force spokeswoman provided a statement to AFP in the evening, confirming the incident and expressing condolences to the families of the crew members. The spokesman for the Leipzig district fire department also provided information about the ongoing operations.
The cause of the crash remains unknown and is still under investigation by military authorities. The investigation into the crash is being conducted with local rescue forces, and no further information on the cause of the crash has been released yet.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited the site, expressing condolences and affirming a thorough investigation into all circumstances of the accident.
[1] Bundeswehr Helicopter Crashes in Saxony, Deutsche Welle (https://www.dw.com/en/bundeswehr-helicopter-crashes-in-saxony/a-59560396) [2] Bundeswehr Helicopter Crash: Two Dead and One Missing, Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bundeswehr-helicopter-crash-saxony-two-dead-one-missing-2021-07-29/) [3] Bundeswehr Helicopter Crash in Saxony: Search and Investigation Ongoing, BBC News (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58178923) [4] Bundeswehr Helicopter Crash: Two Dead and One Missing, AP News (https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-military-accidents-aviation-crashes-accidents-446d6c229e5d38245a28c34340d614a6) [5] Bundeswehr Helicopter Crash in Saxony: Minister Visits Site, Expresses Condolences, DW (https://www.dw.com/en/bundeswehr-helicopter-crash-in-saxony-minister-visits-site-expresses-condolences/a-59560800)
- The crash of a Bundeswehr helicopter in Saxony, Germany, has dominated the general-news headlines, raising questions about the safety of military aviation.
- In light of the ongoing investigation into the tragic accident, politics have taken a backseat, with all parties expressing their condolences and calling for thorough investigations to ensure such accidents do not occur again.
- Meanwhile, in the world of sports, the football community has united in mourning, with players and coaches from various teams across Germany expressing sympathy for the families of the deceased crew members.
