7 killed in US copter crash in Iraq

Washington DC [United States], Mar 17 (ANI): All seven members aboard the US military helicopter HH-60 which crashed in western Iraq near the Syria border were declared dead early on Saturday.

All seven service members aboard a US helicopter were killed. The aircraft crashed in western Iraq a day earlier, the Dawn quotes US officials at Pentagon.

The crash did not appear to be the result of enemy activity and is under investigation, the Pentagon officials added.

US Army Brigadier Jonathan P. Braga condemned the incident while reiterating the risks being faced by the servicemen each day.

"This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today," Dawn quotes Braga.

The Pentagon further informed that an accompanying US helicopter immediately reported the crash that enabled a quick-reaction force comprised of Iraqi security forces and coalition members to reach the spot and secure the scene.

The names of those killed will be released after next of kin have been notified, the statement added.

Earlier, it was reported by the officials that the US military HH-60, a Black Hawk variant helicopter, was not on a combat mission. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI