SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico National Guard helicopter crashed into the Ocean on the road to a drug RAID. The body was found by one of the six people on board, and the remaining five are feared dead, officials said Tuesday.
The body almost a mile off the coast before the Grand Melia resort found late Tuesday morning, Nino Correa, search and rescue said Director of emergency management agency. The victim has not yet identified been.
Crews are searching for the remaining passengers and police Chief José Figueroa Sancha NotiUno radio station that officials the fuselage of the helicopter UH-72 Lakota just north of the island found.
It is unclear what caused the crash. The helicopter was headed for the neighboring island of Vieques when it disappeared late Monday just north of the coast town of Rio Grande. A pilot had 10 years experience and the other had at least six years, and no problems reported during the flight, national guard said General Antonio Vicens.
"Communication gone," he said.
Two of the passengers are prosecutors with the local Justice Department and the other four crew members are officials with the National Guard three of you, said US Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad.
Identified as Colonel Victor Torres Rodríguez, was the second command of the National Guard Puerto Rico riders Hector Ramirez and Carlos Acevedo and Sgt. Jose Omar Sostre.
The public prosecutors, Francisco Mujica de León and Mario Torres Marín, worked for the organized crime Division, said Justice Secretary Guillermo Somoza, adding that he has known both of you for more than seven years. Mr President is the Association of public prosecutors.
"It's a very sad, difficult and painful day," said Mr Somoza. "Were extremely dedicated prosecutors, went the extra mile."
The helicopter flew to 400 metres and was relatively new, after in May 2009 was purchased, said Mr. Vicens.
It apparently changed its route, but it is unclear why.
Two other helicopter on the same mission have reported no problems but heavy rain, said National Guard spokesman major Paul Dahlen.
The officials were to help in Vieques, 43 arrest warrants after a seven month investigation into drug dealer on an island travel serve popular with tourists.
He said the group more than believed to earn $2 million per year.
Among the officials of the RAID involved 36 members were the National Guard, U.S. Puerto Rican police of the island rising crime fighting has helped.
U.S. Caribbean area of 4 million people his third worst year for murders, with more than 920 people reported registered killed this year. A record 995 people were killed, 1994.
"These accidents remind us of the sacrifices that these public servants on your shoulders day to day borne", Governor Luis Fortuno said in a statement.
He seven days mourning and ordered all flags at half-mast to fly.
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