The United States said on Thursday that it was ready to help investigate a helicopter crash that killed Ecuadorian Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva days after she was sworn into office.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths" and "stand ready to assist in the investigation of the cause of the accident if asked," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Larriva, 50, was appointed by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and took office on Jan. 15. She was the South American country's first female defense minister. She died in an air crash on Wednesday night due to the mid-air collision of two military helicopters.

Source: Xinhua