WASHINGTON,
May 20 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Five Marines were
killed when a CH-46 helicopter crashed in a waterway near the southern
city of Karbala, U.S. defense officials said.
The
helicopter 4-member crew died in the crash while a fifth marine
drowned after attempting to rescue them, reported Agence France-Presse
(AFP).
"There
was no indication of hostile fire," said a defense official, who
asked not to be identified.
The
twin-engine Sea Knight aircraft came down in water near the city of
Karbala, 68 miles (110 km) southwest of Baghdad, Pentagon sources
said.
"At
this point we believe the crew of four did not survive," a second
defense official said.
"A
fifth Marine observed the crash, went in to try to rescue them, and
didn't survive either," he said.
"We
just have early reports. There are still a lot of questions," the
official said.
The
CH-46 has been in service since the 1960s, typically ferrying troops
and equipment to and from the front line.
