| 2009 Gabonese helicopter crash | |
| Type: | Under investigation |
| Site: | Atlantic Ocean off Gabon |
| Aircraft Type: | Eurocopter AS 532 |
| Operator: | French military |
| Origin: | French naval ship in the Atlantic Ocean |
| Passengers: | 6 |
| Crew: | 4 |
| Injuries: | 0 |
| Fatalities: | 8 |
| Survivors: | 2 |
The 2009 Gabonese helicopter crash occurred in the Atlantic Ocean off Gabon at 8:08 p.m. on January 17, 2009. Ten soldiers were in the Eurocopter AS 532 when it crashed,[1] leaving eight military personnel dead.[2] [3] Three soldiers initially survived the French military helicopter crash which occurred shortly after take-off from the amphibious assault ship FS . One of the rescued soldiers died from injuries at Libreville Hospital.[4] The helicopter came down off the coastal city of Nyonie between Port-Gentil and Libreville during a joint exercise with Gabonese troops.[3] The cause of the crash is not known.[5]
French President Nicolas Sarkozy immediately ordered his Minister of Defence, Hervé Morin, to fly to Gabon to oversee the rescue mission.[6] Morin visited friends and relatives of the missing at Camp De Gaulle.[7]
After the crash, FS Foudre was the first ship at the scene, and picked up some of the injured.[3] Two helicopters, several ships, as well as underwater robots were sent by the French oil company Total S.A. to assist with rescue efforts.[3] [7] On January 18, the wreckage of the helicopter was discovered 35m (115feet) underwater.[2] Gabon Interior Minister Andre Mba Obame said, "Gabon is doing all that it can to help with the search."[7]
See also: France–Gabon relations.
France has maintained a military base in Gabon since its independence in 1960. The French military regularly conducts military exercises with the Gabonese army. French presence is known to have reduced tensions among various groups that operate in the three small islands of Gabon. These islands are rich in oil reserves found in surrounding off-shore waters. Islands are claimed by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.[8]