Bodies of seven German peacekeepers arrive home

COLOGNE, Germany -- The bodies of seven German peacekeepers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan arrived home Wednesday, met by grieving relatives and Defense Minister Peter Struck.

An honor guard carrying flaming torches stood at attention in the twilight and drums rolled softly as the flag-draped coffins were carried off the transport plane at Cologne-Bonn airport.

"All of Germany grieves with you," Struck told the victims' relatives.

The seven were killed Saturday when their Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter crashed as it returned from a routine patrol over Kabul. They were among 4,800 peacekeepers stationed in the Afghan capital for the past year, trying to stabilize a country ravaged by 23 years of invasion, civil war and repressive regimes.

A large portrait was placed in front of each victim's coffin before it was loaded onto the plane at Kabul airport.

'Doing their duty'

Buglers played taps and more than 100 Afghan and international peacekeepers stood at attention as a mark of respect for their fallen comrades in the International Security Assistance Force.

The head of the peacekeepers, Turkish Maj. Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu, expressed condolences to the German contingent during the chilly Christmas morning memorial service.

"I hope that they, and we in ISAF, can take comfort from the fact that our colleagues were doing their duty not only toward their country, but toward the magnificent contribution Germany has made, and continues to make, supporting the peace process here in Afghanistan," he said.

German Gen. Werner Faeers welcomed the show of solidarity.

"Your warm words of sympathy remind us of the fact that the ISAF is a family that not only shares a common profession, but shares the very sad moments of life together as friends and fellow soldiers," he said.

Military officials say the crash likely resulted from a mechanical failure. Witnesses saw flames leaping out of the engine compartment before the chopper crashed, and there was no sign of gunfire.