U.N. helicopter shot down, four die

MADING-BOR, South Sudan, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Four people aboard a helicopter patrolling Jonglei state in South Sudan were killed when it was shot down by the Sudanese army, the United Nations said.

The U.N. helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission when it was struck, deputy U.N. spokesman Eduardo del Buey said, adding the Sudan People's Liberation Army admitted its personnel had fired on the aircraft.

The United Nations has been helping people caught in deadly clashes between rival communities in Jonglei, the BBC said Friday.