Helicopter Crash Kills 8 Coalition Troops, 14 Wounded in Afghanistan

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

CH-46 helicopter flown by U.S. Marines Photo courtesy: DOD

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Eight coalition personnel were killed and 14 others were wounded early today when a coalition CH-47 helicopter had a sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately to secure the site, recover the passengers and transport wounded personnel to coalition medical facilities for treatment.

The helicopter was transporting a total of 22 people, including aircrew, at the time of the crash.

Recent reporting indicated a Taliban build up for operations against the coalition forces in the region, officials said.

"The loss of these servicemembers is felt by all of us here in Afghanistan, and we offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who were killed," said Lt. Col. David Accetta, coalition spokesman.

The names of those involved in the incident are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The specific location and details of the incident will not be released until the completion of recovery operations.

An investigation will be conducted to verify the cause of the crash.