May 21, 2003	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 18

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TAMPA (Florida) May 20: Five US Marines died after a helicopter crashed into a canal in Iraq, the United States Central Command confirmed on Tuesday.

The helicopter with a crew of four crashed shortly after take-off at 4pm on Monday in the Shat Al Hillah Canal.

Two Marines on the bank of the canal entered the water to try to rescue the crew but one drowned bringing the total death toll to five. The helicopter was conducting a re-supply mission in support of civil military operations.

A recovery effort is underway and dive teams are en-route to the site. An investigation has been launched.—dpa