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Breaking News

U.S. Helicopter Down in Philippines

Aired February 21, 2002 - 15:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Getting word through the Associated Press, according to Pentagon sources right now, an American helicopter has gone down apparently at sea off of the coast of the Philippines. Word we are getting now, possibly a dozen Americans on board that, an Army helicopter as it is described through the Associated Press writing.

We do know in the past several months well over 600 special forces from the U.S. have been dispatched to the Philippines, this to counter the Abu Sayyaf group, this is a group with alleged ties to al Qaeda, but the word we get right now, and it is only preliminary, and it is also just coming to us right now, details and the fact of the story not completely ironed out.

What we do know through the Associated Press apparently, what they are reporting, 12 Americans aboard a U.S. army helicopter have gone down at sea. One source, according to Associated Press, reports that there are no survivors, however there is a search and rescue mission launched underway now off of the coast of the Philippines. More news certainly as we get it here. Keep our fingers crossed.

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