WASHINGTON
The wreckage of a U.S. military helicopter that went missing earlier this week while delivering aid to Nepal earthquake victims was found Friday, according to U.S. officials.
"Because of the nature of the wreckage it is unlikely that there are any survivors at this time," Lt. Gen. John Wissler told reporters in Kathmandu. "We will determine the cause of the mishap."
Six Marines and two Nepalese service members are believed dead after their UH-1Y Huey helicopter crashed Tuesday night near Charikot, a city just east of capital Kathmandu that was devastated by an April 25 earthquake.
The chopper’s wreckage was found 12 kilometers (8 miles) north of Charikot in dense forest. Three bodies have been pulled from the wreckage, according to media reports citing Nepalese officials.
President Barack Obama paid tribute to those who died, saying, "They represent a truth that guides our work around the world -- when our friends are in need, America helps.
"They went to that remote land to help people who suffered devastating losses in a terrible earthquake," he added while addressing police at the U.S. Capitol.
The military has not released a list of names of those on-board the aircraft when it went down.
A massive search operation including U.S. and Nepalese forces had been underway since the helicopter went missing.
The second major earthquake to hit Nepal in a matter of weeks killed at least 110 people Tuesday, according to officials. The earthquake registered a magnitude-7.3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake struck 80 km (50 mi) east of the capital. A series of large aftershocks were also reported shortly afterwards.
Aid agencies are concerned that the quake could worsen conditions in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit country April 25, killing more than 8,150 people and injuring up to 18,000.
Emergency services and international aid agencies had shifted focus from rescue operations to providing relief, especially to the displaced, ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
The new quake caused buildings already made fragile by April's quake, to collapse. There are also fears that the shock, combined with recent heavy rains, could trigger landslides in remote areas where authorities are already struggling to provide aid.
