According to the US military, a plane crash at a remote military base in Alaska has killed all eight people on board. This was reported by infohub.kz.
The civilian-contracted aircraft crashed shortly after midday local time on Thursday near Cape Newenham, which hosts the airport of a long-range radar station. It is unclear who the passengers were or why they were there, but the US Air Force Alaskan Command chief said they had been "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment."
"This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve," said Lieutenant General Robert Davis. In his statement, he added: "Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates during this devastating time. We are profoundly grateful for the swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals."
The US Air Force Alaskan Command said the plane originally took off from Anchorage International Airport and was bound for Cape Newenham, located 725 kilometers (450 miles) west by air. Rescuers who landed near the crash site "confirmed there were no survivors." An investigation is underway, and the names of the deceased will be released after their next of kin have been informed.
Clint Johnson, the chief for the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region, said there had been two pilots and six passengers on board, as reported by CBS News. The Cape Newenham site on Alaska's southwest coast is part of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote sites that monitor aircraft approaching or operating in Alaskan airspace.