5 US troops die in training air crash in eastern Mediterranean

Five US troops have died in a helicopter crash in the eastern Mediterranean, the US military says. 

The aircraft was on a routine training exercise when it suffered a mishap while refuelling. 

US operations have increased in the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. 

US President Joe Biden paid tributes to the victims, saying service members were putting “their lives on the line for our country every day”.

“We pray for the families of all our fallen warriors today and every day,” he added.

The military statement did not give many details, such as where the crash happened, but it is known the US has moved two aircraft carriers, as well as ships and jets, to the eastern Mediterranean over the past month.