Two crew members who went missing following a fighter jet crash in Washington state have been confirmed dead by the U.S. Navy.

The Navy reported that the incident occurred in the Mount Rainier National Park area, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.

The missing crew members, part of a training flight, were unaccounted for after the aircraft went down. Search teams faced challenging conditions while looking for them, which hampered efforts.

On the day of the crash, the fighter jet was conducting routine training when it experienced difficulties and lost contact with air traffic control.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation as authorities work to understand what caused the tragic incident.

The Navy expressed its condolences to the families of the individuals who lost their lives, affirming their commitment to support them during this difficult time.

As the investigation continues, the focus will now also shift to ensuring the safety of similar training operations in the future.

In light of the incident, the Navy is emphasizing the importance of safety protocols and thorough preflight checks to prevent such tragedies from recurring.