newsinsightplus.com 1.1m1.5m February 23, 2024 0 Comments BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaIndia Kerala: Protests rock Wayanad after elephant attack deathsPublished3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Kerala’s Wayanad district is known for its dense forest coverBy Ashraf PadannaReporter, Trivandrum, Kerala”I’m afraid the elephant that killed my father could come back to attack again,” says 13-year-old Alna Joseph.On 10 February, Ms Joseph was returning from morning prayers at her village church in Mananthavady town in the hilly Wayanad district of the southern Indian state of Kerala when she saw a vehicle carrying a bleeding man.When she reached home, she found out that it was the body of her father Ajeesh Joseph, a 42-year-old farmer, who had been trampled to death by a radio-collared wild elephant – the second such death in the district in three weeks.As soon as the local hospital confirmed his death, protests erupted in the town. They were withdrawn only after the authorities announced a 1m-rupee ($12,067, £9,525) compensation for Joseph’s family and a job for his widow.Neighbouring Karnataka state, to which the elephant belonged, also announced a compensation of 1.5m rupees.Six days later, another wild elephant killed Pakkam Vellachalil Paul, a 50-year-old employee of a state-owned eco-tourism project, while he was on duty in Pulpally town, about 24km (15 miles) away.Since then, Wayanad district – known for its dense forests – has witnessed massive protests as angry residents blame authorities for failing to protect them from wild animal attacks.”We often see elephants roaming around when we go out,” Ms Joseph says. “Most of them don’t attack us. But how do we distinguish them from the dangerous ones?”Last week, the funeral procession for Paul turned violent as protesters sat with his body – his last rites were performed only after the intervention of local politicians and religious leaders.Protesters also placed the carcass of a calf killed by a tiger in the town on a forest department vehicle and booed local representatives. Police accuse protesters of “assaulting forest department employees, damaging a vehicle and stopping policemen from carrying out their duties”.Opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad constituency in parliament, rushed to the state on Sunday to meet the families of the animal attack victims.The state government held an all-party meeting and promised to cover medical expenses of those affected by such attacks, while the forest department said it had issued orders to tranquillise the elephant that attacked Joseph.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Last week, protests against frequent animal attacks turned violentResidents say they want strong boundary walls, solar-powered fencing, elephant-proof trenches, early warning electronic systems, radio-collaring of all wild elephants and creation of wildlife corridors – all things that have been promised by the authorities in the past.There is also growing resentment that the state’s chief minister and forest minister have not visited the area since the attacks.Man-animal conflict is a major issue for Kerala, state Forest Minister AK Saseendran admits.Known for its lush green landscape, the state covers only 1.2% of India’s land area, but accounts for 2.3% of its forest cover.Wayanad has 11,531sq km (1.1m hectares) under forest cover, which is 29.6% of the state’s geographical area. Residents of the district say most of the electric fencing and trenches dug to protect them from animal intrusions are in ruins. Mr Saseendran says habitat loss and climate change and its impact on the ecosystem have contributed to rising human-animal conflicts here.”Most of the raids are by reclusive elderly elephants who are hurt while fighting with youngsters in a herd,” the minister adds.Authorities say they are installing 250 surveillance cameras to track animal intrusions in vulnerable areas of the district.”We need to protect the lives of both humans and animals and ensure a healthy coexistence,” Mr Saseendran told the BBC.The authorities also say a higher population density exerts more pressure on forest resources from dependent communities.But residents don’t entirely agree and blame government policies for shrinking natural habitats that are forcing animals into residential areas.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi met Paul’s family after his death sparked protests in the districtN Badusha, a 71-year-old farmer and environmental activist who lives near the district’s Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, says the area lies at the junction of wildlife reserves of three states.”Traditional farmers like me and the tribespeople lived here harmoniously for years,” he says. But decades of bamboo extraction from areas that the elephants relied on for sustenance have destroyed their food source, he says, adding that the government’s push for monoculture plantations such as teak, sandalwood, mahogany, acacia and eucalyptus has also affected the movement of wild animals.”Today, around 36,000 of 96,000 hectares of Wayanad forests are monoculture plantations such as eucalyptus,” Mr Badusha says.”The pristine and precious green spaces, vast swamps and wetlands are depleting,” he explains, pushing wild animals, such as elephants onto farmlands and residential areas.Residents say the district’s burgeoning tourism industry, cattle grazing, invasive plants and forest fires are also destroying wildlife habitats in the region.They blame the authorities for failing to find a solution to the resultant animal attacks.In some of the recent cases, residents have also questioned the shoddy response by the authorities. They say that the elephant that attacked Joseph had a radio-collar. So, how come the authorities failed to track the animal and drive it back to the forest? Mr Saseendran told reporters there had been a delay in tracking the elephant due to signal disruption from the radio-collar.In the case of Paul’s death, his family also alleges that he failed to get medical treatment at the right time.”He was shivering in fear and pain,” his 16-year-old daughter Sona says. “Had he got timely medical assistance, he would have survived.”The state government said it would inquire into the allegation.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Sharath, a 14-year-old tribal boy, got fractured ribs after a wild elephant attacked him last month in the same area where Paul was killed”People have lost faith in the system,” says V Mohammed Ali, who runs a tourist home in Wayanad.It’s not just wild elephants they are worried about but animals like wild boars, tigers, bison and monkeys that make off with their cattle and eat their crops.”Two months ago, a tiger killed a man and his half-eaten body was recovered later,” Mr Ali says. “People wanted to shoot the animal but were stopped by the authorities.”Forest officials have also not been able to locate the tiger that killed the cattle in Pulpally as its pugmarks were untraceable.”My only prayer is that no child is orphaned because of irresponsible authorities again,” Ms Sona says. “No other little one should ever have to cry like I did. We should be able to leave our homes without fear of an attack.”Read more India stories from the BBC:India state bans candy floss over cancer riskOne dead in India’s farming protests – officialRare turtle discovered in India by UK scientistsIndian official visit ‘death knell’ for island tribeThe spin maestro who defied odds to reach 500 wicketsRelated TopicsAsiaIndiaTop StoriesAmerican company makes historic Moon landingPublished2 hours agoEnergy bills expected to fall as new cap announcedPublished4 hours agoSpeaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PMPublished7 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Two years of lunacy’ and possible ‘new Brexit deal’Britain’s biggest Bollywood star taking on HollywoodWhy are American XL bullies being banned?The ‘mind-bending’ bionic arm powered by AIWeekly quiz: What word did Emma Stone have trouble saying?Rosenberg: How two years of war have changed Russia‘I miss you’: Ukraine’s children orphaned by Russian missileSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on Ukraine. AudioSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on UkraineAttributionSoundsHow the row over Commons Speaker unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCHow Captain Sir Tom Moore captured the nation’s heartThe 100 year old man who became a global sensation and the controversy that followed…AttributionSoundsUnwrap the science of Egyptian mummies…Learn about the scientific techniques helping to uncover the lives of Ancient EgyptiansAttributionSoundsIconic roles, from the Doctor to Malcolm Tucker!Peter Capaldi reflects on his 40-year career and what he’s learned from his life so farAttributionSoundsAre grudges beneficial or detrimental?Two men find themselves entangled in a bitter grudge way beyond what they could imagineAttributionSoundsMost Read1Man charged with murder of missing Sydney couple2’Two years of lunacy’ and possible ‘new Brexit deal’3Right-wingers need a bigger bazooka, Truss tells US4Energy bills expected to fall as new cap announced5American company makes historic Moon landing6Mortgage lenders rapidly changing interest rates7Scouts referred to police after teen killed on hike8Constance Marten had £48k paid into her account9V&A museum to recruit Taylor Swift super fan10Speaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PM [ad_1] Recent deaths due to wild animal attacks have sparked massive protests in Kerala’s Wayanad district. 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newsinsightplus.com 1.1m1.5m February 23, 2024 0 Comments BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaIndia Kerala: Protests rock Wayanad after elephant attack deathsPublished3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Kerala’s Wayanad district is known for its dense forest coverBy Ashraf PadannaReporter, Trivandrum, Kerala”I’m afraid the elephant that killed my father could come back to attack again,” says 13-year-old Alna Joseph.On 10 February, Ms Joseph was returning from morning prayers at her village church in Mananthavady town in the hilly Wayanad district of the southern Indian state of Kerala when she saw a vehicle carrying a bleeding man.When she reached home, she found out that it was the body of her father Ajeesh Joseph, a 42-year-old farmer, who had been trampled to death by a radio-collared wild elephant – the second such death in the district in three weeks.As soon as the local hospital confirmed his death, protests erupted in the town. They were withdrawn only after the authorities announced a 1m-rupee ($12,067, £9,525) compensation for Joseph’s family and a job for his widow.Neighbouring Karnataka state, to which the elephant belonged, also announced a compensation of 1.5m rupees.Six days later, another wild elephant killed Pakkam Vellachalil Paul, a 50-year-old employee of a state-owned eco-tourism project, while he was on duty in Pulpally town, about 24km (15 miles) away.Since then, Wayanad district – known for its dense forests – has witnessed massive protests as angry residents blame authorities for failing to protect them from wild animal attacks.”We often see elephants roaming around when we go out,” Ms Joseph says. “Most of them don’t attack us. But how do we distinguish them from the dangerous ones?”Last week, the funeral procession for Paul turned violent as protesters sat with his body – his last rites were performed only after the intervention of local politicians and religious leaders.Protesters also placed the carcass of a calf killed by a tiger in the town on a forest department vehicle and booed local representatives. Police accuse protesters of “assaulting forest department employees, damaging a vehicle and stopping policemen from carrying out their duties”.Opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad constituency in parliament, rushed to the state on Sunday to meet the families of the animal attack victims.The state government held an all-party meeting and promised to cover medical expenses of those affected by such attacks, while the forest department said it had issued orders to tranquillise the elephant that attacked Joseph.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Last week, protests against frequent animal attacks turned violentResidents say they want strong boundary walls, solar-powered fencing, elephant-proof trenches, early warning electronic systems, radio-collaring of all wild elephants and creation of wildlife corridors – all things that have been promised by the authorities in the past.There is also growing resentment that the state’s chief minister and forest minister have not visited the area since the attacks.Man-animal conflict is a major issue for Kerala, state Forest Minister AK Saseendran admits.Known for its lush green landscape, the state covers only 1.2% of India’s land area, but accounts for 2.3% of its forest cover.Wayanad has 11,531sq km (1.1m hectares) under forest cover, which is 29.6% of the state’s geographical area. Residents of the district say most of the electric fencing and trenches dug to protect them from animal intrusions are in ruins. Mr Saseendran says habitat loss and climate change and its impact on the ecosystem have contributed to rising human-animal conflicts here.”Most of the raids are by reclusive elderly elephants who are hurt while fighting with youngsters in a herd,” the minister adds.Authorities say they are installing 250 surveillance cameras to track animal intrusions in vulnerable areas of the district.”We need to protect the lives of both humans and animals and ensure a healthy coexistence,” Mr Saseendran told the BBC.The authorities also say a higher population density exerts more pressure on forest resources from dependent communities.But residents don’t entirely agree and blame government policies for shrinking natural habitats that are forcing animals into residential areas.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi met Paul’s family after his death sparked protests in the districtN Badusha, a 71-year-old farmer and environmental activist who lives near the district’s Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, says the area lies at the junction of wildlife reserves of three states.”Traditional farmers like me and the tribespeople lived here harmoniously for years,” he says. But decades of bamboo extraction from areas that the elephants relied on for sustenance have destroyed their food source, he says, adding that the government’s push for monoculture plantations such as teak, sandalwood, mahogany, acacia and eucalyptus has also affected the movement of wild animals.”Today, around 36,000 of 96,000 hectares of Wayanad forests are monoculture plantations such as eucalyptus,” Mr Badusha says.”The pristine and precious green spaces, vast swamps and wetlands are depleting,” he explains, pushing wild animals, such as elephants onto farmlands and residential areas.Residents say the district’s burgeoning tourism industry, cattle grazing, invasive plants and forest fires are also destroying wildlife habitats in the region.They blame the authorities for failing to find a solution to the resultant animal attacks.In some of the recent cases, residents have also questioned the shoddy response by the authorities. They say that the elephant that attacked Joseph had a radio-collar. So, how come the authorities failed to track the animal and drive it back to the forest? Mr Saseendran told reporters there had been a delay in tracking the elephant due to signal disruption from the radio-collar.In the case of Paul’s death, his family also alleges that he failed to get medical treatment at the right time.”He was shivering in fear and pain,” his 16-year-old daughter Sona says. “Had he got timely medical assistance, he would have survived.”The state government said it would inquire into the allegation.Image source, Arun ChandraboseImage caption, Sharath, a 14-year-old tribal boy, got fractured ribs after a wild elephant attacked him last month in the same area where Paul was killed”People have lost faith in the system,” says V Mohammed Ali, who runs a tourist home in Wayanad.It’s not just wild elephants they are worried about but animals like wild boars, tigers, bison and monkeys that make off with their cattle and eat their crops.”Two months ago, a tiger killed a man and his half-eaten body was recovered later,” Mr Ali says. “People wanted to shoot the animal but were stopped by the authorities.”Forest officials have also not been able to locate the tiger that killed the cattle in Pulpally as its pugmarks were untraceable.”My only prayer is that no child is orphaned because of irresponsible authorities again,” Ms Sona says. “No other little one should ever have to cry like I did. We should be able to leave our homes without fear of an attack.”Read more India stories from the BBC:India state bans candy floss over cancer riskOne dead in India’s farming protests – officialRare turtle discovered in India by UK scientistsIndian official visit ‘death knell’ for island tribeThe spin maestro who defied odds to reach 500 wicketsRelated TopicsAsiaIndiaTop StoriesAmerican company makes historic Moon landingPublished2 hours agoEnergy bills expected to fall as new cap announcedPublished4 hours agoSpeaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PMPublished7 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Two years of lunacy’ and possible ‘new Brexit deal’Britain’s biggest Bollywood star taking on HollywoodWhy are American XL bullies being banned?The ‘mind-bending’ bionic arm powered by AIWeekly quiz: What word did Emma Stone have trouble saying?Rosenberg: How two years of war have changed Russia‘I miss you’: Ukraine’s children orphaned by Russian missileSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on Ukraine. AudioSpeaker Hoyle on the Brink + Shapps on UkraineAttributionSoundsHow the row over Commons Speaker unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCHow Captain Sir Tom Moore captured the nation’s heartThe 100 year old man who became a global sensation and the controversy that followed…AttributionSoundsUnwrap the science of Egyptian mummies…Learn about the scientific techniques helping to uncover the lives of Ancient EgyptiansAttributionSoundsIconic roles, from the Doctor to Malcolm Tucker!Peter Capaldi reflects on his 40-year career and what he’s learned from his life so farAttributionSoundsAre grudges beneficial or detrimental?Two men find themselves entangled in a bitter grudge way beyond what they could imagineAttributionSoundsMost Read1Man charged with murder of missing Sydney couple2’Two years of lunacy’ and possible ‘new Brexit deal’3Right-wingers need a bigger bazooka, Truss tells US4Energy bills expected to fall as new cap announced5American company makes historic Moon landing6Mortgage lenders rapidly changing interest rates7Scouts referred to police after teen killed on hike8Constance Marten had £48k paid into her account9V&A museum to recruit Taylor Swift super fan10Speaker’s decision on Gaza vote concerning – PM [ad_1] Recent deaths due to wild animal attacks have sparked massive protests in Kerala’s Wayanad district. Continue reading
newsinsightplus.com 24km3rd February 7, 2024 0 Comments BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaMissing US Marine helicopter carrying five foundPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The CH-53E Super Stallion has been in service with the US Marines for decades (file image)By Bernd Debusmann JrBBC News, WashingtonUS military officials said they located a missing Marine helicopter in the California mountains.The fate of the five Marines travelling on board is unclear, but officials said the rescue operation is ongoing after they were “reported overdue”.The Marines were on a training flight to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, near San Diego, early on Wednesday.The missing helicopter, a CH-53E Super Stallion, was found about 45 miles from its destination.The Marine Corps said the missing Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing which is headquartered in Miramar. A Marine Corps spokesperson told the BBC that more information would be forthcoming about the status of the five Marines who were on the flight from Las Vegas to Miramar.Fire crews were alerted to the missing aircraft at 02:20 local time on Wednesday (10:20 GMT). Crews were dispatched to an area near Lake Morena, California, before locating the aircraft hours later – less than 15 miles away (24km) in Pine Valley. Rescuers were “using ground and aviation assets to locate the aircrew in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and multiple federal, state and local agencies”, The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement. The search efforts have been hindered by heavy snow and wintry conditions in the area, officials said. The incident came as the area was experiencing a winter storm that has included heavy rains and several inches of snow in mountainous areas. First introduced to active service in 1981, the CH-53E Super Stallion is considered a mainstay of Marine Corps aviation and usually serves in a transport role. It can carry up to 37 passengers in its normal configuration. In addition to carrying troops, the helicopter – which is also used by the US and Japanese navies – can be used in combat and to transport supplies. The Marine Corps Super Stallions also has a checkered safety record. There have been several serious accidents involving the helicopter in recent years. In April 2018, for example, four troops were killed when their Super Stallion crashed near El Centro, California while on a training mission. In a separate incident in January 2016, 12 Marines were killed when two Super Stallions collided over the Pacific near Oahu in Hawaii.This also is not the first accident to occur in these California mountains recently. In August, a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his F/A-18 Hornet jet crashed in an area similarly near to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Related TopicsLas VegasUS Armed ForcesUnited StatesCaliforniaMore on this storyPilot killed in US fighter jet crash in San DiegoPublished25 August 2023US grounds entire Osprey fleet after fatal crashPublished7 December 2023Six bodies found from US Osprey crash near JapanPublished5 December 2023Top StoriesLabour ditches £28bn green investment pledgePublished4 minutes agoNetanyahu rejects Hamas’s proposed ceasefire termsPublished1 hour agoLive. William thanks public in first comments since King’s cancer diagnosisFeaturesWeather data casts doubt on government’s small boats claim’People will keep dying’: Fentanyl crisis grips Mexico’s border citiesWatch on iPlayer: I believed conspiracies about mass shooting I survived. VideoWatch on iPlayer: I believed conspiracies about mass shooting I survivedAttributioniPlayerWhy was a mother held accountable for her son’s school shooting?Fresh Cops: ‘We see so much hatred on social media”The internet was my drug of choice’5 Minutes On: Capturing a photographic ‘sweet spot’ Audio5 Minutes On: Capturing a photographic ‘sweet spot’AttributionSoundsPost Office pursued sisters after case thrown outBarbenheimer was wonderful for cinema, Murphy saysElsewhere on the BBCThe mid-life crisis of an aristocrat-turned-pirateJoin Stede and his crew on a voyage of hilarious self discoveryAttributioniPlayerThe art of healthy eatingProfessor Tim Spector offers a new approach to the way we eat foodAttributionSoundsHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a factory in Dublin that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerReady to get off the sofa?The Van Tulleken twins explore the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivityAttributionSoundsMost Read1Labour ditches £28bn green investment pledge2Woman hit by Tube trains takes TfL to High Court3PM faces calls to apologise over trans jibe to Starmer4No world record for matchstick Eiffel Tower man5Netanyahu rejects Hamas’s proposed ceasefire terms6Olly Alexander Eurovision song puts fans in a spin7Amber snow and ice warnings issued by Met Office8Drone strike kills Iran-aligned militia leader in Iraq9Could the Houthis sabotage undersea cables?10Clapham suspect arranged to meet victim before attack [ad_1] The status of the five Marines flying on board is unclear, but officials said search-and-rescue efforts continue. 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newsinsightplus.com 24km3rd February 7, 2024 0 Comments BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaMissing US Marine helicopter carrying five foundPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The CH-53E Super Stallion has been in service with the US Marines for decades (file image)By Bernd Debusmann JrBBC News, WashingtonUS military officials said they located a missing Marine helicopter in the California mountains.The fate of the five Marines travelling on board is unclear, but officials said the rescue operation is ongoing after they were “reported overdue”.The Marines were on a training flight to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, near San Diego, early on Wednesday.The missing helicopter, a CH-53E Super Stallion, was found about 45 miles from its destination.The Marine Corps said the missing Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing which is headquartered in Miramar. A Marine Corps spokesperson told the BBC that more information would be forthcoming about the status of the five Marines who were on the flight from Las Vegas to Miramar.Fire crews were alerted to the missing aircraft at 02:20 local time on Wednesday (10:20 GMT). Crews were dispatched to an area near Lake Morena, California, before locating the aircraft hours later – less than 15 miles away (24km) in Pine Valley. Rescuers were “using ground and aviation assets to locate the aircrew in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and multiple federal, state and local agencies”, The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement. The search efforts have been hindered by heavy snow and wintry conditions in the area, officials said. The incident came as the area was experiencing a winter storm that has included heavy rains and several inches of snow in mountainous areas. First introduced to active service in 1981, the CH-53E Super Stallion is considered a mainstay of Marine Corps aviation and usually serves in a transport role. It can carry up to 37 passengers in its normal configuration. In addition to carrying troops, the helicopter – which is also used by the US and Japanese navies – can be used in combat and to transport supplies. The Marine Corps Super Stallions also has a checkered safety record. There have been several serious accidents involving the helicopter in recent years. In April 2018, for example, four troops were killed when their Super Stallion crashed near El Centro, California while on a training mission. In a separate incident in January 2016, 12 Marines were killed when two Super Stallions collided over the Pacific near Oahu in Hawaii.This also is not the first accident to occur in these California mountains recently. In August, a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his F/A-18 Hornet jet crashed in an area similarly near to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Related TopicsLas VegasUS Armed ForcesUnited StatesCaliforniaMore on this storyPilot killed in US fighter jet crash in San DiegoPublished25 August 2023US grounds entire Osprey fleet after fatal crashPublished7 December 2023Six bodies found from US Osprey crash near JapanPublished5 December 2023Top StoriesLabour ditches £28bn green investment pledgePublished4 minutes agoNetanyahu rejects Hamas’s proposed ceasefire termsPublished1 hour agoLive. William thanks public in first comments since King’s cancer diagnosisFeaturesWeather data casts doubt on government’s small boats claim’People will keep dying’: Fentanyl crisis grips Mexico’s border citiesWatch on iPlayer: I believed conspiracies about mass shooting I survived. VideoWatch on iPlayer: I believed conspiracies about mass shooting I survivedAttributioniPlayerWhy was a mother held accountable for her son’s school shooting?Fresh Cops: ‘We see so much hatred on social media”The internet was my drug of choice’5 Minutes On: Capturing a photographic ‘sweet spot’ Audio5 Minutes On: Capturing a photographic ‘sweet spot’AttributionSoundsPost Office pursued sisters after case thrown outBarbenheimer was wonderful for cinema, Murphy saysElsewhere on the BBCThe mid-life crisis of an aristocrat-turned-pirateJoin Stede and his crew on a voyage of hilarious self discoveryAttributioniPlayerThe art of healthy eatingProfessor Tim Spector offers a new approach to the way we eat foodAttributionSoundsHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a factory in Dublin that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerReady to get off the sofa?The Van Tulleken twins explore the science of exercise and the dangers of inactivityAttributionSoundsMost Read1Labour ditches £28bn green investment pledge2Woman hit by Tube trains takes TfL to High Court3PM faces calls to apologise over trans jibe to Starmer4No world record for matchstick Eiffel Tower man5Netanyahu rejects Hamas’s proposed ceasefire terms6Olly Alexander Eurovision song puts fans in a spin7Amber snow and ice warnings issued by Met Office8Drone strike kills Iran-aligned militia leader in Iraq9Could the Houthis sabotage undersea cables?10Clapham suspect arranged to meet victim before attack [ad_1] The status of the five Marines flying on board is unclear, but officials said search-and-rescue efforts continue. Continue reading