A plane crash at a remote United States Air Force facility in Alaska has claimed the lives of eight people, according to the US military.
The civilian-contracted aircraft crashed at the airport serving a long-range radar installation in Cape Newenham, located in southwestern Alaska, the Alaskan Command said.
Rescue teams that arrived at the crash site confirmed that none of those on board survived.
The military has yet to release the identities or nationalities of the victims. It also did not immediately disclose the purpose of the flight or the activities the occupants were carrying out at the radar facility.
The Cape Newenham installation is used to monitor aircraft operating within Alaskan airspace.
The Alaskan Command said an investigation had been launched to determine what caused the crash. The identities of the victims are expected to be made public after their families have been notified.
Alaskan Command chief, Lieutenant General Robert Davis, described the incident as a painful loss for the military and surrounding communities.
He said those who died were dedicated professionals performing an important mission under challenging conditions.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.
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