The reason for the mid-air collision of two US helicopter gunships in Kentucky on Wednesday night local time, which killed nine military personnel, remains unknown.

The collision happened at 21:35. local time (4:35 a.m. Greek time early Thursday) when two Black Hawks engaged in a nighttime exercise on the Kentucky-Tennessee border crashed into each other, killing four on board and five on board. second.

The helicopters came from the 101st Airborne Division, which is based at Fort Campbell and is the only airborne division in the US Army.

Brigadier General John Lubas said during a press conference at Fort Campbell on Thursday that the military does not yet know what caused the crash and that there was no distress call prior to the crash. The helicopters were equipped with flight recorders, he said, which officials hope will shed light on what happened.

Kentucky Governor Ado Besir said during a press conference that it was a tragic day for Kentucky. “We must remember that our freedom depends on those who are willing to serve, and some of them pay the highest price,” he said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he would work with military leadership “to ensure our service members and their families receive the care they need after this accident.”

“My thoughts are with the families of these service members and the members of the 101st Airborne Division who serve our country with courage and pride every day,” Mr. Austin said in a statement.

Source: New York Times, CNN.