Israel sends plane to help search for Israeli helicopter that crashed in Romania with 7 aboard

Israelis to help search for downed helicopter

BUCHAREST, Romania — The Israeli air force is sending a transport plane to Romania to help search for an Israeli military helicopter that crashed here with one Romanian soldier and six Israeli ones aboard.

A mountain rescue official said four bodies were found Monday, several hours after the helicopter crashed in a mountainous area of central Romania during joint military training exercises. But the Romanian and Israeli governments refused to confirm that.

Early Tuesday an Israeli transport plane left Israel for Romania carrying medical and search-and-rescue personnel, and officials who specialize in identifying bodies.

The crash occurred as Romanian and Israeli troops were taking part in aviation exercises during which troops are trained to fly at low altitudes.