Chopper crash kills 16 in Afghanistan - officials

KABUL, July 27 (Reuters) All 16 people aboard a helicopter, including several foreigners, were killed in yesterday's crash in rugged mountain terrain in southeastern Afghanistan, foreign military officials said.

Colonel Tom Collins, a spokesman for US-led coalition forces, said 12 bodies had been recovered from the site, which had been secured by foreign troops.

He said the cause of the crash was not known, but it took place in an area where insurgents are active.

A Taliban spokesman said militants had shot down the helicopter.

Insurgents have in the past claimed responsibility for shooting down aircraft, but their reports have often proved unfounded.

The helicopter, destined for Kabul after taking off from Khost, was ferrying contractors working for a reconstruction company.

A spokesman for NATO-led troops Major Luke Knittig said at least two coalition soldiers were killed. Details on the nationalities of those aboard were not immediately available.

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