The Prime Minister has released more details this morning, after a crash involving a Canadian military helicopter near Greece.
Trudeau says it was carrying six members of the Canadian Armed Forces, when the incident happened last night.
He says, “All of them are heroes. Each of them will leave a void that cannot be filled.”
One member of the Royal Canadian Navy has been confirmed dead, while search efforts remain ongoing for 5 other missing crew members.
Trudeau expressed his condolences to family members and friends of the victims.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says the cause of the helicopter crash is unknown at this time.
He says flight data and voice recorders from the helicopter have been recovered.
A CAF flight safety team is departing today to begin its investigation.
One of the victims of the crash has been identified as Abbigail Cowbrough.
She was an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, a Sub Lieutenant, and a member of the crew of HMCS Fredericton.
The military use of the CH-148 Cyclone helicopters has been paused for the investigation.
"All of them are heroes. Each of them will leave a void that cannot be filled," says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he confirms one casualty has been recovered and five are missing following the crash of a Royal Canadian Navy helicopter on a NATO mission off the coast of Greece pic.twitter.com/SH7iDCrgMS
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) April 30, 2020
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan on helicopter crash:
—cause of accident still unknown
—one member of Royal Canadian Navy confirmed dead
—search efforts ongoing for 5 missing members
—flight data & voice recorders recovered
—families have been contacted & are being kept up-to-date pic.twitter.com/hLxwWhEBnP— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) April 30, 2020