Survivors 'unlikely' at site of U.S. copter crash in Nepal

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Wreckage from a missing U.S. military helicopter was located in a rugged, remote area of Nepal and it is "very unlikely" that any of the six Marines or two Nepali soldiers on board survived, the U.S. military confirmed Friday.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter issued a statement mourning the loss of the U.S. Marines and Nepali soldiers, saying the humanitarian mission would continue.

Recovery operations ceased Friday amid treacherous conditions, including violent winds and below freezing temperatures; Nepal is 9 hours and 45 minutes ahead of Eastern Time. Recovery will resume at first light Saturday, the military said.

The chopper had been on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to victims of a devastating April 25 earthquake.

Marines presumed dead after helicopter crash in Nepal

The wreckage of a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter was found in a remote area of Nepal Friday, after going missing on Tuesday. All crew members are presumed dead.

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After the Nepali military initially spotted the wreckage, the U.S diverted choppers already in the air to the site but called off the effort until morning because of thunderstorms and low temperatures in the area, said Lt. Gen. John Wissler, commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Wissler said he was unable to positively identify immediately the remains found at the site but said it is "unlikely there are any survivors at this time."

He praised those killed as "courageous, selfless individuals, dedicated to the international humanitarian mission."

Wissler described the crash site, located at an elevation of 11,000 feet, as an "extremely dense forest, and exceptionally rugged terrain."

"This tragedy is a reminder of the vital but dangerous role that American servicemembers play in delivering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," Ash Carter said. "Our mission continues in Nepal, and we remain dedicated to answering the call when disaster strikes, both in the Asia-Pacific and around the world."

About 300 U.S. military personnel have been supporting the aid mission in Nepal.

The original magnitude-7.8 quake killed more than 8,200 people. On Tuesday, a second, magnitude-7.3 quake, killed 117 people and injured 2,800.

Contributing: The Associated Press