UPDATE: All eight bodies recovered in Marine Corps Helicopter crash, officials say

UPDATE:

Officials announced this evening that eight bodies have been recovered from the crash site of the Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter that crashed in a Himalayan hillside earlier this week. No further information has been made available to news media at this time.

NEPAL - The Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Joint Task Force 505 and Marine Forces Japan addressed the media in a live webcast earlier today in regards to the wreckage of a Camp Pendleton based helicopter that crashed into a Himalayan hillside in earthquake-stricken Nepal. It is believed that the UH-1Y Huey was carrying six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese soldiers at the time of the incident.

“At this time I can confirm that we have located the wreckage of the UH-1 (Y) Yankee Huey helicopter that has been missing since Tuesday, the 12th of may” USMC Lt. Gen. John Wissler said in a press conference streamed live on the internet at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15.

Wissler said it was “unlikely" any of those survived the crash.

“Because of the nature of the wreckage, it is unlikely that there are any survivors,” Wissler said. “Our prayers are with the families and the Nepalese soldiers and their families. We all mourn this tragic loss of life.”

The aircraft was positively identified on Friday, May 15 at approximately 1:50 p.m., Nepal Standard Time, eight miles north of Charikot.

“The wreckage was found at approximately 11,000 feet in extremely dense forest and exceptionally rugged terrain,” Wissler said, adding that the discovery was made by Nepalese partners flying patrols in the area.

“At this time I am not able to identify the cause of the mishap,” he said. “I am also unable to positively confirm the identities of any of the remains of the service members, either from the U.S. or Nepal, who were on the aircraft.”

According to Wissler, recovery efforts had to be halted due to the “extremely difficult terrain,” that included freezing temperatures, violent winds and thunderstorms.

“We cannot put U.S. or Nepalese service members at any further risk,” he said. “At first light we will resume the recovery mission.”

The helicopter and crew were participating in disaster relief missions following a 7.3 aftershock that occurred on Monday, May 11.

“They were determined to go forward with their duties eager to contribute to our mission and to alleviate suffering and to come to the rescue of those in need,” Wissler said.

According to the Napalese defense minister, rescuers found bodies near the chopper.

Initial reports that Murrieta resident Eric Seaman was one of the eight aboard the Huey when it disappeared, have yet to be confirmed by the military which follows a strict policy of not releasing names of those involved until 72 hours after notifying the next-of-kin.

The missing Huey, along with the crew were part of Joint Task Force 505 - as part of Operation Sahayogi Haat - deployed to Nepal following a request from the Napalese government after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the country on April 25. The trembler reportedly killed more than 8,000 people.

According to reports, the helicopter and squadron were diverted from a Joint Task Force exercise in the Philippines to assist with search and rescue.

Aircraft from the United States, including two other UH-1y Hueys and two V-22 Ospreys, as well as Nepalese military and police had searched for the missing helicopter before it was found.

Wissler said that JTF 505 would continue to work closely with the government of Nepal and the Nepalese armed forces to identify the remains of all the service members aboard the aircraft at the time of the incident.

The mishap is being investigated and more details will be released as they become available, Wissler said as he thanked the countries of Nepal and India who came forward to assist in the search efforts.

“They were courageous,” Wissler said. “They were selfless individuals dedicated to the international humanitarian aid mission here in Nepal. We are deeply saddened by the discovery of this wreckage and we will remain dedicated to the recovery effort until every last Marine and Nepalese soldier is brought home.

Wissler asked for continued prayers during the “difficult time.”

“We also ask the public to please respect the families and allow them time as the investigation continues and the next of kin are respectively notified,” he said. “The sacrifice that these Marines and Nepalese soldiers have made for their respective countries will not be forgotten. Their memories will live on through the lives they touched during this disaster operation and in their previous service to their countries.”