Six of the twelve personnel on board a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter have been confirmed dead after the aircraft crashed into the Maduru Oya reservoir during a training exercise in central Sri Lanka.
The Bell 212 helicopter was carrying out a grappling drill connected to a passing-out parade when the incident occurred.
All twelve on board were rescued and rushed to the hospital, but six did not survive.
“The helicopter was assigned to conduct a grappling exercise at a passing-out parade. Four special forces personnel and two Air Force gunmen died of their injuries,” Sri Lanka Air Force spokesman Group Captain Eranda Geeganage told Reuters.
The remaining personnel are receiving medical treatment, though their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
Group Captain Geeganage declined to comment on the possible cause of the crash.
Military officials say an investigation is underway to determine what led to the fatal accident.