U.S. Military Helicopter Missing in Nepal, Officials Say
U.S. officials announced Tuesday that a U.S. military helicopter carrying marines and members of the Nepalese Army went missing during an aid delivery mission in Nepal.
U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren told the Associated Press that contact with the Huey military helicopter happened as the helicopter, carrying aid items like rice and tents, attempted to make a stop in Charikot, Nepal.
The helicopter, which was reportedly carrying six marines and two members of the Nepalese Army, complained to ground control of a possible fuel problem before losing contact.
Officials have said that because there have been no smoke signals or signs calling for rescue, they hope the helicopter is simply lost and will reappear soon.
"The incident occurred near Charikot, Nepal, while the aircraft was conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in support of the recent Nepal earthquakes," Army Maj. David Eastburn, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement, as reported by USA Today.
The helicopter had reportedly been delivering supplies while also transporting injured people from the town of Charikot back to Kathmandu so they may receive medical assistance.
On Tuesday, Nepal was hit by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter between Kathmandu and Mount Everest. The earthquake, which has already killed an estimated 36, comes just weeks after a larger 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Asian country, killing over 8,000 and injuring over 18,000.
According to CNN, about 300 American military personnel are currently on the ground in Nepal aiding with the most recent natural disaster.
