Iran US LIVE: Iraq horror crash leaves six dead as refuelling plane 'explodes'

The US military has reported the loss of six crew members after a refuelling aircraft during Operation Epic Fury - sparking a rescue mission.

A KC-135 Stratotanker went down during operations over western Iraq after reportedly crashing into a second tanker aircraft. At least six crew were aboard the tanker aircraft when it crashed, the US military confirmed four have died, as search and rescue teams have been scrambled.

The US military's CENTCOM said: “All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified."