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Blackhawk helicopter crashes in the Mediterranean, five crewmembers dead
U.S. European Command confirmed the accident was unrelated to the conflict in Gaza but was a training accident.
Five servicemembers died when a U.S. military aircraft crashed in an accident during training in the eastern Mediterranean, as reported by U.S. European Command (EUCOM). The accident occurred on the evening of Friday, November 10, during a routine air refuelling mission. Search and rescue efforts were started immediately, including nearby U.S. military aircraft and ships.
The U.S. has two Navy carrier groups in the eastern Mediterranean Sea at the moment, in part to provide support to Israel and send a deterrence message to any groups in the region seeking to turn the conflict in the Gaza Strip into a regional war.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld for 24 hours until after next of kin notifications have been completed.
An investigation into the crash has been launched by authorities. According to EUCOM, the crash, “was purely linked to training and there are no clear signs of hostile activity.”
Accident not related to conflict between Israel and Palestine
Directly after reports of the accident, rumours began to spread on social media that the crash was in some way linked to the conflict occurring between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This hypotheses has now been officially ruled out.
More information to be provided
EUCOM has also not specified which aircraft was involved in the incident or why it occurred. In a statement the European Command said more information would be provided “as the situation evolves.”