QUETTA, Jan 9: At least seven American marines were killed when a US military aircraft KC-130 crashed into a mountain some 10 kilometres ahead of Shimshi base in Kharan District, Pakistan, on Wednesday evening, official sources said.

“All seven US marines on board are feared killed in the disaster,” sources said.

The KC-130 air-refuelling aircraft, sources said, was approaching the base when crashed into high mountains.

“The crash happened at around 8.30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time)” a resident of Kharan District, Mohammed Sabir, told Dawn from Shimshi by telephone.

“The flames could be seen from Shimshi airport soon after the US plane went down,” he said. The District Coordination Officer (DCO), Miranjan Kakar, confirming the air crash said that teams were dispatched for rescue and relief operation from Kharan Town, but was not sure whether they were able to reach the crash site.

Since Shimshi air base, some 80km from Kharan, is being used to extend logistic support to the US war efforts in Afghanistan, is believed to have dispatched its own teams for rescue and relief operation.

It is the second air disaster since the US and its coalition partners started airstrikes against the Taliban and Al Qaeda positions in Afghanistan October last.

AFP ADDS: A US Marine Corps KC-130 air-refuelling aircraft carrying seven marines crashed into a mountain on Wednesday while making an approach to land at a forward operating base in southwestern Pakistan, the military said.