(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) The US military confirmed on Thursday (February 8) that five Marines were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California.
U.S. authorities said a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed Tuesday night in Pine Valley, a remote mountainous area east of San Diego.
Latest progress in accident handling
The Marine Corps said a search for the remains of the crash victims was ongoing and an investigation had been launched.
The aircraft was originally scheduled to depart from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, USA, and fly to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego County, California.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I announce the loss of five outstanding Marines,” Maj. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, commander of the 3rd Marine Aviation Regiment, said in a statement.
In a statement, US President Joe Biden said he was “heartbroken” by the loss of life.
“Our deepest condolences go out to their families, their squadron and the United States Marine Corps as we mourn the loss of five of our nation’s finest warriors,” Biden said.
“Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice — and reaffirm our sacred obligations to all serving members and their families,” he said.
a series of fatal accidents
In the past few years, U.S. military aircraft have suffered a series of fatal accidents, including an F-35 fighter jet crashing on the deck of an aircraft carrier while participating in military exercises in the South China Sea at the end of January 2022. In late November last year, a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft crashed off the coast of Japan, killing eight service members.
Earlier that month, a UH-60 helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Mediterranean, killing five service members.
Another Osprey crashed and caught fire in Australia last August, killing three Marines.
Last April, three soldiers were killed when two helicopters collided while returning from a training mission in a remote area of Alaska.
(Reuters, AFP, AP)
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2024-02-09 12:34:00
