Iraq helicopter crash kills eight

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A helicopter belonging to the Iraqi military has crashed in northern Iraq, killing eight people on board including a US soldier, the US military has said.

The wreckage of the Russian-made Mi-17, which went missing on Monday afternoon, was recovered north of Lake Thar Thar.

The cause of the crash is still unclear, but Iraqi officials have said there was a dust storm in the area.

The helicopter had been travelling from the al-Sinya base near Baiji to the city of Mosul, Iraqi officials said.

The last reported contact with the helicopter was at 1440 (1140 GMT) on Monday.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the brave service members who lost their lives in this tragedy," said the US military spokesman, Rear Adm Gregory Smith.

"They have our deepest condolences."