Two Marine helicopters collided off the coasts of the Hawaiian island of Oahu late Thursday night during in a nighttime training exercise.
A search for the 12 people on board is underway, and officials say they have spotted a debris field off the coast.
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooers told The Associated Press that the Marine Corps reported the collision of two helicopters off the coast of just before midnight. Mooers says each aircraft was carrying six people.
Thoughts & prayers are with our Marines & their families in Hawaii as search efforts continue. We remain Semper Fidelis @usmc @USNavy @USCG— Robert B. Neller (@GenRobertNeller) January 15, 2016
She says a debris field has been spotted 2.5 miles off the north shore of Oahu, near the town of Haleiwa. Local news outlets report that an empty life raft was spotted in the debris.
The Marines confirmed in a tweet that there is a search underway for two CH-53 helicopters and the Marines onboard are part of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW, based out of Oahu, Hawaii.
The aircraft are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW in Hawaii. pic.twitter.com/Gn4VmXOIgM— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 15, 2016
There was no immediate word on what caused the collision or if any survivors have been found, and several hours after the crash little is known about the cause of the incident.
Additional information from the Associated Press.