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The
V-22B Osprey aircraft belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps was
taking part in Cold Response, a long-planned military exercise
to practice defending Norwegian territory in cold-weather
conditions in case of attack.
Rescue services reached the crash site by land early on Saturday
after helicopters were unable to land due to poor weather
conditions, including gale-force winds and heavy rain.
There was also a risk of avalanches in the area, according to
local weather forecasts.
"Police reached the crash site at around 0130 CET (0030 GMT). It
is regrettably confirmed that all four on board the plane have
perished," Ivar Bo Nilsson, head of the operation for Nordland
police, said in a statement.
A Norwegian armed forces statement said later the four who had
died were the Osprey's "American crew".
Police investigating the cause of the crash had to halt their
work because of the bad weather, planning to resume their probe
when the conditions improved.
Some 30,000 troops from 27 countries are involved in Cold
Response, which Norway's military said would continue.
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Gwladys FoucheEditing by Frances
Kerry and Helen Popper)
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