Pohang: Three bodies were retrieved following the crash of a Navy patrol aircraft carrying four people on a mountain in Pohang, authorities reported. The incident occurred around 1:49 p.m., shortly after the aircraft took off from a local air base for training exercises.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, which is known for its anti-submarine capabilities, crashed for reasons yet unknown. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing smoke and hearing explosions as the aircraft went down.

The Navy confirmed that among the four crew members-two officers and two non-commissioned officers-two deaths have been verified. However, the identities of the deceased have not been disclosed. An investigative unit has been formed to determine the cause of the crash, and authorities have confirmed that no civilians were harmed in the incident.

In response to the crash, fire authorities deployed 17 pieces of equipment and around 40 personnel to manage the accident site. Acting President Lee Ju-ho, briefed by acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho, has called for comprehensive efforts to rescue any survivors and to mitigate environmental damage.

The P-3C aircraft, part of a fleet of 16 operated by the Navy since 1995, is nicknamed the "submarine killer" due to its specialized capabilities. This incident is the first known crash involving a P-3C aircraft from this fleet.