Four Marines were killed and one remained unaccounted for when an Osprey plane crashed in the California desert, according to a military official.
The Marine ship crashed while training in a remote area of Imperial County near Highway 78 and the city of Glamis, about 30 miles north of the Mexican border and more than 150 miles east of San Diego on Wednesday.
The official said on condition of anonymity, as the investigation is still ongoing, according to the Associated Press.
The Tiltrotor aircraft had five Marines on board and was based at Camp Pendleton with a group of 39 Marines and was part of the 3rd Wing of Marines based at the Miramar Marine Corps in San Diego.
“We can confirm that a plane belonging to the 3rd Wing of the Marines crashed near Glamis, California,” 1st Lieutenant Dwayne Campa, a Marine spokesman, said in a statement. “Military and civilian first aid services are in place.”
The El Centro naval airfield, about 30 miles from the crash site, says contrary to initial reports, there is no nuclear material on board.
“We can confirm that a plane belonging to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, California. Military and civilian first aid teams are on site. Contrary to initial reports, there is no nuclear material on board the aircraft. More information will be provided when we receive it, “said officials based on Facebook.
Rescuers are looking for a fifth person who was on board the plane, dispatchers said.
“NAFEC has just received reports of a plane crash near Coachella Canal Road and 78th Highway. The Imperial County Federal Fire and Fire Service is responding,” the El Centro naval airline’s Facebook page said.
“At the moment I do not have any additional details, as the facts are being confirmed and the available information will be published on the Facebook page of the database. Please be patient as the installation team is working in this emergency. “
Officials say Osprey was based at the Miramar Marine Corps in San Diego.
Ospreys are operated by the Marines, Navy and Air Force to transport troops and equipment. This is an inclined plane that has a higher top speed and a longer range than a helicopter, but can hang and land in a similar way.
Four North Carolina Marines were killed in an Osprey crash in March during a NATO exercise in Norway.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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