Two killed as US Army Apache helicopter crashes near Fort Hood base in Texas

An Apache helicopter of the US Army crashed near Fort Hood base in Texas on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of both people aboard. The incident sparked a wildfire, prompting the evacuation of several homes. Rescue workers and firefighters were seen walking through the charred field, with plumes of dark smoke rising from flames still burning around the wreckage.

Officials at the nearby Fort Hood confirmed the crash, which was described as a "violent crash" by Cliff Coleman, spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the crash was not immediately known, but the Fort Hood’s criminal investigation division was leading the inquiry. The helicopter was on a routine training flight when the incident occurred, according to a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Fort Hood, a massive military installation spanning 214,968 acres, is renowned for its rolling, arid terrain, serving as an ideal training ground for heavy forces. The Apache helicopter has been a crucial part of the US military's fleet since 1984, with two people aboard typically sitting in tandem – the pilot in the rear and the co-pilot/gunner in the front.