AP Photo

A U.S. Marines CH-47 Chinook helicopter (File Photo)

    FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 2, (Xinhuanet) -- A U.S. Chinook helicopter believed carrying dozens of soldiers to leaves abroad was struck by a missile and crashed west of Baghad, killing 13 soldiers and wounding more than 20 others, the U.S. command and witnesses reported. 

    It was the heaviest coalition casualty toll since the overthrow of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein on April 9 and one of the bloodiest episodes in a bloody US-led occupation.

    "The search is still underway for survivors," the spokesperson said.

    The helicopter was hit by a missile from an "unknown weapon" as it flew troops to Baghdad international airport en route for leave outside the country. Enditem

(Agencies)

    1 US killed in attack on convoy in Baghdad

    BAGHDAD, Nov. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- US military said Sunday a US convoy was attacked by a bomb earlier in the day near Baghdad and one US soldier was killed.

    Another soldier was confirmed killed and 20 others were injuredas a US helicopter was shot down near the Baghdad International Airport on the same day. Enditem

   Death toll rises to 15 in helicopter downing in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Nov. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll from the downing of US Chinook helicopter near Fallujah, Iraq, rose to 15 from 13, with21 injured in the crash.

    Fifteen people were killed and 21 others injured on Sunday whena US military transport helicopter was shot down by an unkownweapon in western Iraq, the US military said.

    Earlier a US spokesman told Xinhua that 13 people, most likelyUS soldiers, were killed in the incident.

    "Now 15 killed, 21 wounded," said a US military spokeswoman, butshe did not confirm if all the victims were US soldiers.The helicopter was downed around 9:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) in    Amiryaht al-Fallujah (a district of the town of Fallujah), 50 kmwest of Baghdad.

    The wounded have been evacuated for treatment in medicalfacilities and authorities are searching for survivors, thespokesman added.

    According to the US military, around 35 people were on board theCH-47 Chinook helicopter en route to the Baghdad InternationalAirport when it was attacked.

    The transport helicopter was the third aircraft that themilitary confirmed shot down by anti-US fighters after the majorconflict was declared over on May 1. Enditem