An Iraqi guerilla group has claimed responsibility for downing a commercial helicopter and killing all those on board, including three Bulgarians, an online statement reads.

The short posting on a web site says that the Islamic Army in Iraq has shot down the Bulgarian cargo aircraft on Thursday and that a video would follow soon.

The authenticity of the brief statement could not be verified immediately.

The Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter, owned by Bulgaria's Heli Air, was hit by a rocket- propelled grenade as it flew over a deserted area north of Baghdad, Bulgarian officials and the US military said.

It was believed to be the first downing of a civilian aircraft in Iraq. So far, the only civilian aircraft believed to have been struck was a DHL transport plane hit by a rocket as it departed Baghdad airport in November 2003. But it managed to turn and land safely.

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