Washington, August 13 (QNA) - Two US soldiers were killed on Wednesday when an attack helicopter crashed in a field in central Texas, causing a fire in the area and forcing the evacuation of several residents from their homes.
Officials at nearby Fort Hood base reported that an AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in the town of Salado during a routine training flight, killing the two soldiers on board.
The US military confirmed the death of the two soldiers, adding that their names would not be released until 24 hours after their families had been notified.
Authorities stated that the helicopter did not collide with any houses or other facilities when it crashed, while media reports indicated that it crashed in a field and caught fire, leading to a grass fire and the spread of flames in the area, prompting the intervention of firefighting teams and the evacuation of a number of residents.
Authorities did not immediately announce the cause of the helicopter crash, while the Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Hood took over the investigation into the incident.
Fort Hood, with its approximately 214,968 acres, is one of the largest US military bases and is used for training and deploying heavy forces. The Apache attack helicopter has been a key component of the US Army fleet since the first versions entered service in 1984. (QNA)