LONDON: Britain's Royal Navy said on Thursday one person had been killed following an incident in which a helicopter was forced to ditch into the Channel during a training exercise.
"It is with great sadness that we must report a member of the Royal Navy has died following a training incident last night," the Navy said in a statement on X.
"A full investigation will take place. The incident involved a Merlin Mk4 helicopter in the English Channel near Dorset that ditched while conducting night flying exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth. There were no other fatalities or serious injuries."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was deeply saddened by the death and paid tribute to those involved in the search operation.
"My thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this painful time," he posted on X.
The crash killed all those onboard the aircraft: the pilot and a family from Spain
Talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Iranian leader are scheduled for Saturday in Oman
“Looking at EU as one block on tariffs,” says US president
"Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda," says State Department spokesperson
"If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in," says EU chief Ursula von der Leyen
US president says he would temporarily lower hefty duties on dozens of countries except China