Peacekeepers including six Americans killed in Egypt helicopter crash

A handful of peacekeepers, including several Americans, have reportedly died in a helicopter crash that occurred in the Sinai Peninsula.

The helicopter, which belonged to Multinational Force and Observers, crashed during "a routine mission in the vicinity of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt" on Thursday, the MFO said in a statement. Eight of the nine members involved in the crash died. The ninth member, an American, survived the crash and was evacuated and taken to a hospital.

Six of the members who died were U.S. citizens, one was French, and one Czech. The names of the victims have not been released until next of kin notifications are completed. The MFO said it will investigate the crash but that no signs pointed to anything but an accident at this point.

Israeli and Egyptian officials told the Associated Press the crash appeared to be the result of a technical failure.

The MFO's website describes its mission as one to "supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms."

The Washington Examiner has reached out to the MFO and the State Department for comment.