UN Plane Crash Kills 11 in Haiti

We just found out yesterday evening about the crash, and were very shocked by the news! I have gotten to know several of the UN pilots very well, and our condolences go out to their families!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A United Nations plane has crashed in western Haiti, killing all 11 people on board, UN officials say.

The Uruguayan surveillance plane was monitoring the Dominican Republic border as part of its tasks with the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

Most of those on board the plane were military officers from Uruguay and Jordan, officials told the BBC.

More than 9,000 UN personnel are stationed in Haiti, which has long been ravaged by violence and instability.

UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said the Uruguayan CASA212 went down west of Fonds-Verrettes.

She said rescue teams had traveled to the area on foot because of the rugged terrain.

No survivors were found at the crash site.

Officials said the cause of the crash was not yet known but an investigation had been launched.

The UN's Minustah mission has been in Haiti since 2004, following the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Excerpt taken from BBC Website.