Abidjan, 4 February 2015... The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) regrets to announce the death of three Moroccan peacekeepers in a road accident on 27 January 2015, near Guiglo, some 516 kilometres northwest of Abidjan.



Adjudant Kamal Tahiri and Corporals El Hachmi Khalad and Abdalilah El Baghzaoui were on escort mission on board a military vehicle when the accident happened. Adjutant Tahiri and Corporal Khalad died on the spot, while Corporal El Baghzaoui died of his injuries on 2 February 2015 in a clinic in Abidjan.



Aged 34, Adjudant Tahiri was married with three children. Corporals Khalad and Baghzaoui were unmarried and were both 24.



They were members of the 21st Moroccan Contingent which was deployed in the Mission in November 2014.



Their deaths bring to 86 the total number of peacekeepers who have died since UNOCI was deployed in April 2004.



The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and the whole of UNOCI present their sincere condolences to the Moroccan Contingent, the families of the deceased and the Moroccan authorities.