Two dead in U.S. military helicopter crash in S. Korea

Two U.S. pilots were killed Monday when a military helicopter crashed near Wonju, South Korea, during a routine training mission, the Pentagon said.

The AH-64 Apache, which crashed about 50 miles east of Camp Humphreys, belonged to the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Division.

"We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families of the soldiers involved in this tragic incident," said Lt. Col. Mark Gillespie, the deputy commander of 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade. "Our first priority is to provide their families with the support they need during this difficult time."

The identities of the victims were being withheld pending notification of families.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, Lt. Col. Chris Hyde said in a statement. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said a power line appeared to be tangled in the wreckage and a nearby tower was damaged.

Wonju, a city in Gangwon Province, is about 90 miles east of the capital, Seoul.

The U.S. military has almost 30,000 servicemembers stationed in South Korea, which maintains a tense peace with neighbor North Korea.