Four American soldiers dead after the collapse of NATO plane in Norway

Four American soldiers were killed after a plane crashed during NATO exercises. These exercises were not related to the war in Ukraine, the Norwegian prime minister said on Saturday.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stére wrote on Twitter that the plane crash occurred Friday evening, meanwhile, added that the causes of this incident are being investigated.

“Soldiers were participating in NATO exercises called the Cold Answer”, he said, as he expressed condolences for the family members of the slain soldiers.

V-22B type aircraft Osprey belonged to the US Navy, the Norwegian Armed Forces said.

The “Avion had four members on board and was launched on a training mission in Nordland” County north of Norway, it was said in the statement.

Norwegian Prime Minister said the plane was originally scheduled to land before 6:00 Friday, but crashed south of the city of Bodo. Police and rescue teams have appeared immediately at the scene, while in the early hours of Saturday, authorities confirmed that four crew members have died.

NATO's annual military exercises in Norway are not linked to Ukraine. This year, around 30,000 troops, 220 planes and 50 ships from 27 countries are participating in these exercises. States not part of NATO, Finland and Sweden are also participating in these exercises.

The exercises have started on March 14th and will end on April 1st.

(Photo illustration)