Dutch helicopter shot down off Somalia coast

The shots were fired at the Lynx helicopter during a surveillance flight along the Somali coast. It would have been almost impossible to hit the helicopter from land because of the high altitude at which it was flying, according to a Dutch Ministry of Defence spokesperson.

The Lynx came from the frigate Hr. Ms. Van Amstel, currently part of the EU’s anti-piracy operation Atalanta.

“The helicopter’s crew noticed fired shots that were probably meant to hit the helicopter,” says a ministry spokesperson. 

“There is no reason to take extra preventive measures, all Dutch troops are well prepared and have not been in danger. These surveillance flights are nothing exceptional, they are almost daily conducted.”

RNW