Eleven missing after US army crash

A search is under way in the US for seven marines and four soldiers after their army helicopter came down while training in Florida.

The crash happened near Pensacola during a night training exercise at Eglin Air Force Base.

Eglin spokesman Andy Bourland said the helicopter took off from a nearby airport in Destin.

It was reported missing at about 20:30 local time (00:30 GMT) and debris from the aircraft was located later.

An unnamed military official told the Associated Press that all 11 service members are presumed dead.

Fog has made the search for the UH-60 helicopter - also known as a Black Hawk - difficult.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash are not known.

A second helicopter participating in the routine training mission returned safely, he said.

Both aircraft are assigned to the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond, Louisiana.

The seven Marines involved in the accident were part of a special operations group based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The soldiers were from a National Guard unit based in Hammond, Louisiana. Their names are not being released while relatives are notified.

The beach, water and bay are said to provide an ideal training area for special operations units from all branches of the military.