Two helicopters go down over Malden as violence surges - ADANews - March 26, 2020

[MSgt Falconer]

Two helicopters go down over Malden as violence surges

 

Around midnight last night townspeople in Arudy were woken up by a loud noise and a swift power outage, believed to have been the result of a US military helicopter crash landing a short distance outside the town. A spokesperson for the Malden autonomy confirmed that EMS assets were held back on request by the US military while they dealt with the crash. By the time anybody got close the wreckage had been recovered although the terrain showed clear signs of a heavy impact along with a knocked down electrical pole.

 

The crash site outside Arudy. The wreckage was removed during the night by US forces.

 

Power was restored to the entire town by noon and the US military contingent on the island communicated their apologies via the governor's office and financial compensation to the affected residents was forthcoming. 

 

While information is sparse, the US military operation is believed to have been a step in the combating of the rampant lawlessness on Malden. The town of Arudy was believed to contain a insurgent weapons cache as well as some high ranking members of the insurgency. The military operation was sanctioned by local authorities.

 

The need to find and destroy these weapons caches was on full display this night as a civilian helicopter conducting an urgent transportation of medical equipment was shot down by a insurgent ground-to-air missile and crashed on a hillside. EMS assets were quickly dispatched to the location and according to reports the 3 people onboard were in critical condition and have been flown to Malta for emergency medical treatment.

 

The wreckage of the civilian helicopter shot down by an insurgent ground-to-air missile

The Maldenese athorities were reluctant to comment on when these extensive military and police actions may be brought to an end and many are asking themselves if these actions have not simply made Maldens problems worse.  ADANews will, as always, continue to monitor the situation as it develops.

Simon Tam
ADANews