BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. military helicopter has crashed in western Iraq with seven service members abroad, U.S. officials said Thursday.

"Rescue teams are responding to the scene of the downed aircraft at this time," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

The aircraft is thought to be an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, which crashed in Anbar province near the Syrian border, said U.S. officials citing initial reports.

One official was quoted by the CNN as saying that there were "likely fatalities."

"An investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the incident," U.S. Central Command said in the statement.