Tragic Helicopter Incident During Royal Navy Training Exercise

A Royal Navy helicopter crashed into the English Channel during a training exercise, resulting in one fatality. No other serious injuries were reported. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences to the victim's family and praised the search response.

Britain's Royal Navy announced Thursday that one person lost their life after a helicopter was forced to ditch into the Channel amid a training exercise.

"It is with great sadness that we must report a member of the Royal Navy has died following a training incident last night," the Navy stated on X. The incident involved a Merlin Mk4 helicopter participating in night flying exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth near Dorset. No other fatalities or serious injuries occurred.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and praised the search operation. "My thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this painful time," he posted on X.

(With inputs from agencies.)