Albania to Probe Military Helicopter Crash

The prosecutor's office in Skadar, together with experts from the Albanian army and ministry of defence, has started an investigation into the military helicopter crash which left two dead.

Two pilots, captain Floran Delia, 43, and lieutenant Donald Hoxha, 28, lost their lives after the helicopter that they were flying crashed into the Skadar lake on Wednesday during a routine training flight.

A soldier, Gerald Baramuca, who was also on board, survived.

The military helicopter, type EC 145, was a new one, bought from French firm Airbus Helicopters in November, and was intended for use in rescue operations.

Since the helicopter was still under warranty, it is expected that on Thursday, experts from Airbus Helicopters will be present when the wreckage is pulled out of the lake.

The chief of General Staff of the Albanian Army, Major-General Jeronim Bazo, had asked for patience and time in order so that a professional analysis of the circumstances that led to the crash can be carried out.

"There are a lot of questions that need answers, but I will ask for your understanding in giving time for the process of shedding light on the causes, which we are all interested to know about," Bazo told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Is still unclear if the helicopter had any technical problems or whether the fatal crash was caused by it human error.

In 2012, French media reported that an Airbus Helicopters Cougar helicopter ordered by the Albanian military crashed in a mountainous area of Provence in south-eastern France while was testing, killing six people on the board.

Crash victims Delia and Hoxha have been awarded the order of 'National Martyr' and are going to be commemorated at a military ceremony on Thursday...