Kerry, Biden, Hagel in Emergency Landing in Afghanistan
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
WASHINGTON — Helicopters carrying three senior American senators made emergency landings today in the mountains of Afghanistan because of a snowstorm.
Senators Kerry, Biden, and Hagel were aboard the aircraft. No one was injured, according a statement from Mr. Kerry’s office. The senators and their delegation returned to Bagram Air Base in a motor convoy, and have left for Turkey.
“After several hours, the senators were evacuated by American troops and returned overland to Bagram Air Base, and left for their next scheduled stop in Ankara, Turkey,” the Kerry statement said. “Senator Kerry thanks the American troops, who were terrific as always and who continue to do an incredible job in Afghanistan.”
The lawmakers were on a trip this week that included stops in India, Turkey, and Pakistan, where they observed the elections earlier this week.
Messrs. Kerry and Biden are Democrats from Massachusetts and Delaware, respectively, and Mr. Hagel is a Republican from Nebraska.
