Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed media today, along with Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, General Jonathan Vance, and deputy minister for the Department of National Defence Jody Thomas, providing updates on the search for Canadian armed Forces CH-148 Cyclone helicopter involved in an accident during a NATO training exercise off the coast of Greece.
The helicopter crashed in the ocean west of the Greek mainland on Wednesday evening.
Greek Defence Military Forces (GDFM) say that a CH-148 Cyclone took flight from a Canadian frigate and crashed in Greek waters 20 nautical miles from take off.
The Canadian Armed Forces has confirmed that a search is underway. The body of Abbigail Cowbrough has been recovered. Five are missing.
Sajjan told media that Canada remains in contact with Italy, Greece, the United States, and Turkey to help find those who were on the helicopters.
Search and rescue continued overnight.
“Yesterday, a Royal Canadian Navy helicopter on a NATO mission carrying six members of the Canadian Armed Forces went down with all hands in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece,” said @JustinTrudeau. “One casualty was recovered and five are missing. All of them are heroes.” pic.twitter.com/SBscDEMldC
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) April 30, 2020
"As of this morning, this is what we know: the cause of this accident is unknown," said Sajjan. "We can confirm the death of one member of the Royal Canadian Navy." Search efforts are still ongoing for the remaining five missing persons.
The data and voice recordings has been recovered, said Sajjan.
General Vance said that the crew had just passed their 100th day of operations in the region, and were due to return to Canada in July.
"As of this morning, the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered," said Vance, saying that they will be brought to the National Resource Council to be investigated.
A flight safety investigation has been initiated, and an accident investigation team will be departing Canada either today or tomorrow.
Vance said more detail would be released as the investigation continues.
“To the family and friends and shipmates of Sub.-Lt. Cowbrough our thoughts and prayers are with you,” said @CDS_Canada_CEMD. “To those of you in agony awaiting the word on the fate of their missing loved ones we stand with you and are searching as hard as we can.” pic.twitter.com/ySs8UbitVc
— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) April 30, 2020
Vance confirmed that the remaining Cyclone helicopters are on operational pause until they can rule out an operational error in the crash.
On a separate note, Trudeau was asked about why certain guns were soon to be restricted. Trudeau said his government saw "no need for guns that are designed to kill the largest amount of people in the shortest amount of time."
"It's something on which there is a large consensus by Canadians who want to see less violence and fewer deaths from gun violence."
Trudeau said there will be more information released in the coming days.
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