(Scypre.com) – On Sunday morning, tragedy struck during a military exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory when a military helicopter carrying over 20 U.S. Marines crashed. This unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of three lives among the military personnel on board, while several others sustained injuries, including some critical ones, according to official reports.
The crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time on Melville Island, located off the coast of Darwin. This mishap unfolded during joint exercise drills involving military personnel from the United States, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.
A spokesperson from Australia’s Department of Defence verified the incident and clarified that no Australians were involved in the crash. The spokesperson issued a statement, stating, “Defence can confirm an aircraft incident occurred mid-morning on 27 August on Melville Island, north of the city of Darwin, during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023. Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved. At this critical early stage, our focus is on the incident response and ensuring the safety of those involved.”
Following the crash on Melville Island, multiple military personnel were rescued from the wreckage on the Tiwi Islands, situated north of Darwin. The Marine Rotational Force in Darwin released a statement indicating that the MV-22B Osprey helicopter crash had claimed the lives of three individuals, with five others in serious condition, subsequently transported to Royal Darwin Hospital. Rescue and recovery efforts remain underway, and authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy addressed the media during a press conference, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to transport the remaining victims to the hospital. Both the Australian Defence Force and the U.S. Marines are actively involved in these operations. “We are doing everything we can to return them safely to Darwin for treatment,” Murphy stated in Darwin.
The victims sustained a variety of injuries, with some in critical condition, as disclosed by Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during a previously scheduled press conference in Western Australia, described the crash as a “tragic” incident. He emphasized that the government and the Department of Defence are fully focused on responding to the incident and providing all necessary support and assistance during this difficult time.
The U.S. Department of Defense, in response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, stated that they are aware of the public reports but have no additional information to provide at this moment.
In the wake of this tragic event, the Predators’ Run exercises will be temporarily paused, as reported by Sky News. These exercises involve approximately 2,500 participants, including 500 from the U.S., 120 from the Philippines, 120 from Indonesia, and 50 from Timor-Leste.