U.N. helicopter that crashed in South Sudan was shot down

JUBA, South Sudan, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The United Nations said a cargo helicopter that crashed in South Sudan last month appears to have been shot down.

Three Russian crewmen were killed and a fourth injured when the Mi-8 chopper crashed on August 26 in Bentiu.

Experts conducting the initial probe concluded the craft was shot down, but would not say by whom. But the U.N. mission said the rebel commander, Peter Gadet of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, had threatened to shoot down mission craft.

"It is premature at this stage to conclusively apportion blame for the shooting down of the helicopter," said Joe Contreras of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan.

"A more in-depth technical investigation which is being conducted in compliance with international air safety standards, and an independent board of inquiry being established by the United Nations to look into the incident, should provide additional information which will make it possible to conclusively determine the source of the ground fire which brought down the helicopter."

Contreras condemned the attack and reiterated a Security Council promise to hold those responsible accountable.

South Sudan Army spokesman Philip Aguer said rebels "shot it down," while the Unity forces under Gadet have denied doing so.

Gadet's forces are loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, who was accused in December 2013 by President Salva Kiir of attempting a coup. The government blames that alleged coup on the violence that has killed thousands of people and displace more than one million.