An MI-24 helicopter gunship crashed into thick jungles yesterday afternoon, one kilometre off the Buttala town, killing all four onboard. Two of the dead were pilots and the others corporals.

The accident occured around 1.30 pm. According to Air Force sources, a rescue team was rushed to the scene of the crash but could not get close as the chopper was ablaze. Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke attributed the accident to a technical fault.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was flown to Mattala in Hambantota yesterday in connection with the inauguration of construction work on the proposed Hambantota International Airport. It is believed that the ill-fated chopper providing air cover to the helicopter carrying VVIPs. Several VIPs including ministers were at Mattala yesterday.

Eye witnesses at Mattala, who gathered for the ceremony said that the MI-24 was seen circling several times at a height of about 1,000 feet above ground level and then came crashing down. The wreckage had burned for nearly two hours after the crash, they said.

The victims have been identified as Squadron Leader Dodamaluwa, flight Lt. Fernando and corporals Sirisena and Ratnayake.

The Air Force Commander has ordered a high level probe into the crash and according to initial investigations sabotage was ruled out.