A U.S. Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed off the coast of Japan early Wednesday morning. Eight people have been rescued, while three remain missing.
According to NPR, the propeller-driven C-2 Greyhound crashed in the Philippine Sea southeast of Okinawa, Japan.
The Navy says “search and rescue” for the remaining members is still under way, releasing a statement on the condition of the eight rescued personnel:
The aircraft was conducting a routine transport flight carrying passengers and cargo from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
All personnel were transferred to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for medical evaluation and are in good condition at this time.
Although the cause of the crash is not yet known, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera stated that he received a U.S. report that engine trouble may have caused the crash, according to BBC News.
Social media users have already pointed out the sad timing of the event, as it came on the eve of Thanksgiving Day.
My thoughts go out to the missing and injured service men or women involved in the C-2 Greyhound crash in the Pacific
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) November 22, 2017
Being so close to Thanksgiving makes this tragedy even more difficult.
My prayers go out to the Navy and the men and women on the USS RONALD REAGAN. pic.twitter.com/MLmF1DRoGy