One dead, five missing after Canadian helicopter goes missing during NATO exercise
Canadian prime Minister Jusin Trudeau has confirmed that one man has died and five others are missing after a Canadian military helicopter went missing during a NATO operation. Debris and the aircraft's black box have been found in the sea between Greece and Italy, a Greek military officer and public television said Thursday.
Canada's armed forces said the helicopter had been involved in an accident after taking off from the Canadian frigate Fredericton on Wednesday.
"Debris has been found in Italy's zone of control and intervention" in the Ionian Sea, the Greek military officer told AFP, specifying the wreckage belonged to the Canadian helicopter.
Six crew were aboard the helicopter when it disappeared, the officer said on condition of anonymity.
Greek public television reported that a body had been found amid the wreckage in international waters off the Greek island of Kefalonia.
Greek public television ERT said Italian and NATO vessels were also taking part in the search while Turkey said one of its frigates was also involved.
Canada said on Twitter that it contacted the family members of those who were on board the missing CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.
The aircraft was "involved in an accident in the Mediterranean Sea," it said, but gave no other details.
CAF had issued a statement earlier saying it had lost contact with the helicopter deployed on board HMCS Fredericton which was participating in NATO exercises off the coast of Greece.
"Search and rescue efforts are currently under way," it added.
Initial reports said the helicopter had been over international waters 50 nautical miles off Kefalonia.
Italian, Greek and Turkish frigates were taking part in the exercises along with the Canadians.
Juanita Chang, spokeswoman for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), which plans and carries out all NATO operations, confirmed Wednesday that a helicopter had gone missing.
"I confirm there has been an incident involving a helicopter from a ship under NATO command," she said.
"There is currently a search and rescue operation being conducted and national notifications taking place."
