Crashed helicopter recovered as search for German soldier continues

A helicopter that crashed into a river during a military training flight in eastern Germany has been removed from the crash site, a spokeswoman for the Air Force confirmed on Thursday, while the search for a missing crew member continues for a third day.

Two crew members were found dead after the helicopter ploughed into the Mulde River in the town of Grimma, near Leipzig, on Tuesday, but the third person who was aboard the aircraft remains missing.

Divers have been scouring the river, while soldiers combed the riverbanks.

The ill-fated helicopter was flying at low altitude when it went down near a bridge over the A14 motorway. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Following the accident, the German Armed Forces declared the area a military security zone, cordoning off a wide perimeter and imposing a no-fly zone.

Authorities have not yet released the names or ages of the deceased. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who visited Grimma on Tuesday evening, said "two young lives" had come to an abrupt end while serving their country.