Nepal Officials Announce Discovery of U.S. Marines Helicopter Crash Site, No Survivors Expected

After days of searching rugged mountain terrain in Nepal, the U.S. military has announced that they have discovered the crash site of the military helicopter that went missing earlier this week while delivering aid to a remote village.

Nepalese officials announced that the crash site of the Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter was discovered Friday near the town of Charikot, where six U.S. Marines and two members of the Nepalese Army had been carrying out a rescue operation following two massive earthquakes that have rocked the Asian country.

Nepal's defense secretary, Iswori Poudyal, said in a statement to reporters that rescue teams have recovered three charred bodies from the crash site, although they have been unable to identify the remains.

"The wreckage of the helicopter was found in pieces, and there are no chances of any survivors," Poudyal said.

According to CNN, the U.S. military has also said that there are likely no survivors from the fiery crash.

"It is unlikely there are any survivors at this time," U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John Wissler said in a statement.

Officials in Nepal indicated that rough terrain and bad weather hampered them from discovering the crash site sooner. An investigation of the fallen U.S. military helicopter will continue Saturday morning at dawn.

Major General Binoj Basnet told Reuters on Friday that investigating the crash site has proven difficult due to the rough terrain.

"[The helicopter] was found on a steep slope," Basnet said in a statement.