At least three US Marines were killed and five seriously injured in a Marine Corps plane-helicopter crash on a northern Australian island during a multinational exercise on Sunday, officials said.
Marines confirmed the three deaths on Melville Island and said the five wounded were taken to the mainland city of Darwin, 50 miles away, in serious condition for hospital treatment.
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey helicopter crashed around 9:30 a.m., according to a statement.
“Recovery efforts are ongoing,” the document said, adding that the cause of the crash was under investigation.
Planes had been dispatched from Darwin to rescue more survivors from the remote island, but hours later no further details were released about the fate of the other 15 Marines on board.
What happened to the passengers?
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said no one on board escaped unharmed.
According to Northern Territory Premier Natasha Fyles, one of the injured underwent surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital about six hours after the crash.
“We are aware that this is a horrific incident,” Fyles said. “The Northern Territory Government stands ready to offer any assistance needed.”
Un helicóptero militar que transportaba al menos a 20 marines estadounidenses se estrelló frente a la costa de Darwin, #Australia, durante unos ejercicios militares.
— Fuerza Informativa Azteca (@AztecaNoticias) August 27, 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said only Americans were injured in the accident during the Predators Run exercise involving the armies of the United States, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and East Timor.
The 12-day exercise is scheduled to end on September 7 and will include troops on land, sea and air. However, there has been a break since the accident.
The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but can rotate its propellers forward during flight and flies much faster than an airplane. Versions of the ship are flown by the United States Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force.
