Disasters & Accidents

3 US marines die in helicopter crash in northern Australia

Sydney, Australia, Aug 27 (EFE).- Three US marines were killed and others injured in a helicopter crash in northern Australia on Sunday, state news reported.

According to the state-backed broadcaster ABC, 23 US military personnel were on board when an Osprey aircraft crashed on Melville Island on the Tiwi archipelago, 60 kilometers north of the city of Darwin.

Northern Territories Chief Minister Natasha Fyles described the crash as a “terrible incident” and said all 23 people on board were US Defence personnel with a “wide range of injuries”.

“Five marines have been returned to Darwin for treatment with the remaining being triaged at the scene,” Northern Territory Commissioner Michael Murphy told ABC.

“Additional police and defence personnel have been deployed to Melville Island to support operations, triage injured people and return them to Darwin and also maintain the crash scene while investigations continue,” he added.

At least one of the five people admitted is in critical condition.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the crash as a “regrettable incident”.

The accident occurred during the Exercise Predators Run 2023, which has now been paused.

The military drill brings together a 2,5000-strong defense team from Australia, the US, the Philippines, East Timor and Indonesia. EFE

aus-esj/ch

Related Articles

Back to top button