Helicopter crashes during tsunami relief operation

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) - A U.S. helicopter on a relief operation crashed in a rice paddy near Banda Aceh's airport, injuring at least two U.S. servicemen and causing the military to briefly suspend flights today, while strong aftershocks and security concerns provided more challenges for aid workers two weeks after the disaster hit.

The two men injured in the crash, along with eight other Navy personnel, were being flown back to their ship in the Lincoln battle group, said Capt. Joe Plenzler, a U.S. military spokesman in Medan, 250 miles southeast of Banda Aceh.

The SH60 helicopter crashed in a rice paddy about 500 yards from the airport in Banda Aceh, the main city on Indonesia's tsunami-battered Sumatra island, as it was trying to land, he said.

"There was no fire ball but a little smoke. It landed on its side," Plenzler said, adding that the helicopter's propeller was twisted from the impact.

U.S. authorities said there was no indication the helicopter had been shot down. The U.S. military suspended helicopter flights for about two hours after the crash.

The crash came a day after Indonesia warned aid workers that separatist rebels have taken shelter in camps for survivors, although it appeared today to back away from the claim, which followed a shooting on the streets of Banda Aceh. A burst of violence also hit Sri Lanka on Sunday, signaling a potential resurgence of long-simmering rebellions in both tsunami-hit countries that could hamper help for victims of the Dec. 26 disaster.

Relief workers straining to help survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that has killed more than 150,000 people across 11 countries and left millions homeless and threatened by disease said they were being cautious but won't let concerns about the rebellions slow the flow of aid.

"We don't believe that aid workers are targets," said Joel Boutroue, head of the U.N. relief effort in Indonesia's troubled Aceh province.

Aftershocks from the massive earthquake that spawned the killer waves, meanwhile, continued to rattle residents in the hardest-hit countries. A 6.2-magnitude temblor sent people scrambling from their homes early Monday in Banda Aceh, but no injuries or damage were reported.

In a hopeful sign, however, officials announced today that an Indonesian tsunami victim had been plucked out of choppy waters by a passing cargo ship after surviving nearly two weeks at sea, officials said today.

Ari Afrizal, 22, was rescued late last week by the United Arab Emirates-registered AL Yamamah, said Sasheila Paramsothy, a spokeswoman for the shipping harbor Westport Malaysia. An exact date for the rescue was not available, she said.