Military helicopter crash in Texas, USA, 2 people killed
A military attack helicopter crashed into a field in central Texas and caught fire, killing 2 pilots on board, forcing authorities to evacuate residents in the area.
The Apache of Fort Hood military base crashed in Salado, Texas, at about 1:35 pm local time. Mr. Cliff Coleman, spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the 2 pilots had died.
The fall sparked a large fire beyond control. By 5 pm local time, the fire had spread over about 100 acres and was only controlled at 45%, according to the Texas A&M Forest Protection Department's incident monitoring system. Images from the scene show debris scattered on the scorched ground, while firefighters extinguished the remaining flames.
The helicopter did not crash into a construction site or people, Mr. Coleman said. "It crashed into a field, and it can be clearly seen that this is a very strong crash," he said.
The identities of the 2 pilots have not been announced. It is not clear where the helicopter originated from and where it is en route.
AH-64 Apache is an attack helicopter with 2 crew members, capable of carrying 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 rockets and 1,200 rounds for a 30 mm cannon. This aircraft line was put into use in 1984 and is expected to operate until 2050.
5.6 magnitude earthquake occurs in Fiji Islands, Japan
The German Geological Research Center GFZ said that a magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook the Fiji Islands area at 22:13 GMT on August 12 (local time).
The epicenter, at a depth of 581.9 km, was initially determined to be at latitude 17.79 degrees South and longitude 178.52 degrees West.
White House Press Secretary Leavitt will leave office
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of August.
Ms. Leavitt left "to be able to spend more time with her family and her lovely young children," Mr. Trump shared in a social media post.
Now, Karoline will become one of my senior outside advisors and an influential voice in the Republican Party, as we strive to make history and win convincingly in the midterm elections," Trump said.
Ms. Leavitt is the youngest person to ever hold the role of White House Press Secretary.
