Seven German servicemen were killed yesterday and two Afghan girls were missing aftera helicopter crashed into a house in Kabul, Germany's defenceminister said.
There was some confusion about the fate of the two girls asearlier a military spokesman at the crash scene in the Afghancapital said no children were involved.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, butofficials from the 22-nation International Security AssistanceForce (ISAF) said they believed it may have been caused byengine trouble rather than a missile attack or other foul play.
Witnesses said the crash sent plumes of fire and smoke intothe air.
"The helicopter was completely destroyed," GermanLieutenant-Colonel Andreas Steffan said in Kabul. "We arewaiting for our explosives ordnance people to check it overbefore they can lift it up, and then maybe we will find otherpeople."
He said the aircraft had been on a routine patrol.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he was "greatlyshaken" by the crash and would extend his deepest sympathies tothe families of the victims.