Two members of the Israeli military died in a Navy helicopter crash on January 3, while a third was wounded.
The crash took place during a training exercise and occurred off the coast of Haifa. The deceased have been identified as Lt. Col. Erez Sachyani, 38, and Major Chen Fogel, 27. The third person in the crash, a naval officer, has not yet been publicly identified but was released from the ICU in Rambam Medical Center on January 4 and is currently in good condition, according to The Times of Israel (TOI).
The Israeli Air Force is investigating the incident and all training flights have been suspended. The crash is not believed to have been caused by an attack.
“This is a difficult day for Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement, per TOI. “We lost two sons, two pilots, some of our best, in an accident at sea. I share in the grief of the families for the loss of Lt. Col. Erez Sachyani and Maj. Chen Fogel, men who gave their lives for Israel’s security, day after day, night after night.”
United States Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides shared his condolences in a tweet. “May their memories be a blessing,” he wrote.
I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two @IAFSite aircrew members who died in last night's helicopter crash. May their memories be a blessing. I am also praying for a swift and full recovery of the other crew member who was injured.
— Ambassador Tom Nides (@USAmbIsrael) January 4, 2022
