UPDATE! Official: Bodies Found With Wreckage Of Missing U.S. Helicopter In Nepal

Nepali military service members unload supplies from a UH-1Y Huey in Charikot, Nepal, on May 5. Screenshot Credit, CNN

May 15, 2015

CNN: By Sugam Pokharel

Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN)The wreckage of a U.S. Marine helicopter that went missing with six U.S. Marines and two Nepali service members on board has been found, U.S. Defense officials confirmed Friday.

“It is unlikely there are any survivors at this time,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John Wissler, commanding general on the ground in Nepal, and said he was unable to confirm the report from the Nepalese government, that three bodies had been discovered.

Three bodies were discovered in the burned wreckage of the helicopter, which was delivering aid to earthquake survivors, Nepalese Defense Secretary Ishwori Paudyal said.

Wissler said that due to the harsh conditions of the region, he was calling off the search for the evening. Wissler said the deaths would not affect the U.S. Marine mission to the Nepalese region to assist with aid following a series of deadly earthquakes.

The American chopper was spotted in the Gorthali area, at an altitude of 11,200 feet (3,400 meters), said Nepalese Brig. Gen. Binoj Basnet. Its discovery follows intensive searches from the air and on foot, amid treacherous terrain.

The U.S. Joint Task Force confirmed the wreckage, 8 miles north of Charikot, was that of the missing UH-1Y Huey helicopter. It has not yet commented on the reported discovery of bodies.

Four pararescuemen and one combat rescue officer were on the ground, the Joint Task Force statement said. “The assessment of the site is ongoing and a thorough investigation will be conducted,” it said.

More at  CNN

Disclaimer: This article was not written by Lorra B.