---
title: "Two Bundeswehr members dead, one missing in helicopter crash"
description: "BERLIN, July 29 (Reuters) - Two members of the Bundeswehr armed forces were killed and one was missing after a helicopter crashed on Tuesday morning during a training flight near the eastern city of Leipzig, the defence ministry said, adding that the cause of the crash was still unknown."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-29-two-bundeswehr-members-dead-one-missing-in-helicopter-crash/"
published: "2025-07-29T22:24:00"
updated: "2025-07-29T22:24:02"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 81
---

# Two Bundeswehr members dead, one missing in helicopter crash

> BERLIN, July 29 (Reuters) - Two members of the Bundeswehr armed forces were killed and one was missing after a helicopter crashed on Tuesday morning during a training flight near the eastern city of Leipzig, the defence ministry said, adding that the cause of the crash was still unknown.

By Reuters · Published 30 July 2025, 00:24 SAST · Updated 30 July 2025, 00:24 SAST

## Key points
- In a tragic twist of fate, a routine flight turned into a somber search and rescue mission for the Bundeswehr, as Defence Minister Boris Pistorius mourns the loss of crew members while investigators scramble to piece together what went wrong in the skies.
- A leased helicopter operated by Helicopter Wing 64 crashed during a routine flight exercise, prompting ongoing search efforts for a missing crew member.
- Defence Minister Boris Pistorius expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the crew, emphasizing the emotional impact on the Bundeswehr.
- An investigation into the crash will be spearheaded by the Bundeswehr's General for Aviation Safety in collaboration with civilian authorities.
- The incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety within military operations.

## Content

The helicopter, a leased aircraft operated by Helicopter Wing 64, went down during a routine flight exercise, the ministry said, adding that search and rescue teams continued searching for the remains of the third crew member.

"The deaths of the crew members hit me and the entire Bundeswehr hard," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said.

Bundeswehr's General for Aviation Safety will lead the investigation in close cooperation with civilian authorities, the ministry added.

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )