Five Navy sailors missing after a helicopter crash in the Pacific Ocean earlier this week have been declared dead.
The Navy has transitioned from search and rescue to a recovery operation, CNN reports.
The MH-60S Knighthawk crashed into the ocean Tuesday, about 60 miles off the coast of San Diego, California. The helicopter was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
One crew member was rescued a couple of hours after the crash. Their condition was not made public.
The helicopter was carrying out routine flight operations at the time of the crash. The Navy’s 3rd Fleet said in the statement the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. local time.
The victims will not be identified until 24 hours after their next of kin has been notified.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of five Sailors and those injured following the MH-60S helicopter tragedy off the coast of Southern California,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday in a statement. “We stand alongside their families, loved ones, and shipmates who grieve.”
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
