US helicopter pilots die in Iraq

Two US army pilots have been killed in a helicopter crash in central Iraq, the US military has said.

Their helicopter "experienced a hard landing" at a base in Salahuddin Province on Sunday, a statement said without giving further details.

The incident was under investigation and there was no indication that enemy action had been involved, it added.

A US marine also died on Sunday of "non-combat related injuries" in Anbar province, another statement said.

The deaths raise to 4,362 the number of US military personnel who have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.