Three US Marines killed as military aircraft crashes during exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory
At the very least three US Marines have been killed in an aircraft crash on the Australian Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, the US military officers stated on Sunday.
One other 5 have been in a “severe situation” and have been transported to the Royal Darwin Hospital, Marine Rotation Power – Darwin stated in an announcement.
The assertion added that 23 Marines have been on an MV-22B Osprey helicopter during routine coaching workout routines when it crashed on the distant Melville Island, 60km off the coast from Darwin.
“The Marines aboard the aircraft have been flying in assist of Exercise Predators Run. Restoration efforts are ongoing,” the assertion learn.
The reason for the crash was being investigated, Marine Rotation Power – Darwin stated.
The aircraft crash occurred after 9am (0100 GMT), the Northern Territory Police commissioner Michael Murphy stated.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese referred to as the crash “tragic” and stated Australian personnel weren’t concerned.
“Our focus as a authorities and as a division of defence may be very a lot on incident response and on ensuring that each assist and help is given at this troublesome time,” the prime minister stated during a beforehand scheduled press convention in Western Australia.
Round 2,500 personnel from Australia, the US, the Philippines, Indonesia and East Timor have been participating in the Exercise Predators Run 2023.
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed on Melville Island during Exercise Predators Run, which includes the militaries of the USA, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and East Timor, the Australian Protection Division stated.
“Preliminary experiences recommend the incident includes United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Power members weren’t concerned,” the ministry stated in an emailed assertion.
Mr Albanese stated his authorities was focussed on offering assist. Mr Albanese, talking at a beforehand scheduled press convention, declined to offer particulars concerning the crash or rescue efforts.
“Our focus as a authorities and as a division of defence may be very a lot on incident response and on ensuring that each assist and help is given at this troublesome time,” he stated.
The US and Australia, a key ally in the Pacific, have been stepping up military cooperation in latest years in the face of an more and more assertive China.
4 Australian troopers have been killed final month during massive bilateral workout routines when their helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland.
