By: MacKenzie Hareland

British forces opened fire upon Bosnian civilians while being evacuated by helicopters during a Serbian attack on the United Nations (UN) safe zone of Gorazde. Bosnian civilians, consisting primarily of elderly women, were fearful for their safety and surrounded the barracks where peacekeepers were stationed. 

The UN established the safe zone of Gorazde, however the entirety of the peacekeeper presence consists of sixteen British peacekeepers. When the peacekeepers became overwhelmed, the British Government sent helicopters to evacuate peacekeepers. During this evacuation, elderly women tried to board the helicopter, but were repelled when British forces opened fire in an effort to disperse the crowd. Bosnian radio reported at least ten grandmothers were killed. It is anticipated Bosnian Serb attacks will continue.