5 U.S. Marines dead in helicopter crash in California

Five U.S. Marines aboard a helicopter that crashed in the mountains outside San Diego in the U.S. state of California have been confirmed dead, according to updates of the U.S. military, reported Xinhua.

The Marines were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a routine training flight from Creech Air Force Base to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Tuesday, when the aircraft was reported overdue, according to a release of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The aircraft was located by civil authorities in Pine Valley, California, at 9:08 a.m. Wednesday.

Efforts to recover the remains of the Marines and equipment have begun and an investigation is underway.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Flying Tigers' while conducting a training flight last night," said Major General Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a statement.

It was the second fatal crash for Marines in Southern California involving a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, a heavy lift helicopter, in the last six years, according to a Los Angeles Times report.