A plane crash near a remote U.S. Air Force site in Alaska on Thursday killed all eight people on board, the military confirmed.
The civilian-contracted aircraft went down shortly after midday local time near Cape Newenham, which hosts a long-range radar site.
The U.S. Air Force Alaskan Command stated that the plane had departed from Anchorage International Airport and was en route to Cape Newenham, located approximately 450 miles to the west.
Rescuers who reached the crash site confirmed there were no survivors. The plane carried two pilots and six passengers, according to Clint Johnson, chief for the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region.
The identity of the passengers and the purpose of their travel to the radar site remain unclear. Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, chief of the U.S. Air Force Alaskan Command, described the individuals as "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment."
"This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve," Davis said in a statement. "Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates during this devastating time."
The Cape Newenham site is part of the Alaska Radar System, a network responsible for monitoring aircraft approaching or operating within Alaskan airspace. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The deceased will be identified once their next of kin have been notified.