A Cyclone helicopter was deployed on board the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Fredericton and was participating in a NATO training exercise off the coast of Greece when the ship lost contact with the aircrew.
Flares were spotted from the water minutes later when the aircraft hit the water, AAP reported.
The flight data recorder had been recovered but the cause of the accident was still under investigation. Multiple NATO countries were helping in the search operation in the Ionian Sea.
“With tremendous assistance from our NATO allies, four ships including the Fredericton, two Italian ships and one Turkish ship continue to search with ship borne helicopters and fixed-wing patrol aircraft from Italy, the United States and Greece,” said Rear Admiral Craig Baines, Commander of Maritime Command Component.
“We have found additional remains but unfortunately we have not been able to identify them.”
The remains that have been found are believed to belong to five missing Canadian military members. Officials previously recovered the body of Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough and said the missing five members who were aboard the aircraft are now presumed dead.
The crew included pilots Capt. Brenden Ian MacDonald and Capt. Kevin Hagen; Air Combat Systems Officer Captain Maxime Miron-Morin; Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke and Master Corp. Matthew Cousins.
The accident hit Nova Scotia hard as the helicopter was based in the province, which is already dealing with the killings of 22 people by a gunman who went on a rampage on 18 and 19 April.
Also read: Earthquake of 6.6 hits Greece