A US Navy helicopter and a jet operating from the USS Nimitz have crashed in the South China Sea. Photo: AP PHOTO

A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet have crashed separately into the South China Sea within the space of an hour during routine operations conducted from the same aircraft carrier.

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The incidents on Sunday came while US President Donald Trump was on a visit to Asia.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump said the crashes were unusual and could be due to "bad fuel", adding that what caused them would likely soon be known.

"All personnel involved a

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