A second helicopter also made an emergency landing and an unspecified number of troops on board were believed to be injured, said Maj. Andrew Elmes, a spokeswoman for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.
He said the cause of the crash and the emergency landing - both in the desert south of the western city of Herat - were believed to be mechanical failures. He did not elaborate.
In Madrid, a Spanish Defense Ministry official who asked not to be named said 12 soldiers and five crew died in the accident, but that the cause was unknown.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero broke off his vacation in the Canary Islands to return to Madrid and meet with defense ministry officials, the premier's office said.
Elmes declined to comment on the nationality of the troops or how many casualties there were. He said rescuers were on the site, recovering the dead and wounded.
"We do not think the helicopter crashed because of enemy activity. We think it was an accident. We think it crashed into the ground after a mechanical failure, but we are not sure and we are investigating," he said. "The second helicopter landed heavily. There are survivors from that helicopter."
He said both choppers were on a training mission to support legislative elections next month.
Afghan army commander Abdul Wahab Walizada said troops had been deployed to the area to provide security.
AP-ES-08-16-05 0735EDT
This is so sad. Prayers for all involved.
At least the Spanish troops were THERE and helping.
Thanks, McGruff, for this heads-up.
Okay, tinfoil hat time..
I'd like to see the mechanical records for these choppers. I don't trust the UN! I would not put it past the UN to siphon off the money for the military supplies/equipment in order to line Kofi and buddies pockets.
I think this needs investigation.