3 US Marines died and 20 were injured in an air crash in Australia.

Three U.S. ⁣Marines have tragically lost their lives and 20 others have been​ injured‌ after their‌ aircraft crashed in northern Australia during routine exercises,⁤ according to the U.S. military.

During a​ routine​ training exercise, the Boeing⁢ MV-22B Osprey ⁤tiltrotor aircraft crashed on ​Melville Island, north of Darwin in ⁤Australia’s ‌Northern​ Territory, around 9:30⁣ a.m. Sunday local time, as reported by Marine​ Rotational Force Darwin, a U.S. Marine task force. The incident occurred while the tiltrotor aircraft‌ was transporting 23 Americans.

Tragically, three​ people have been ⁣confirmed⁤ dead, while five others are in serious condition and have been flown to Darwin for hospital treatment.

Exercise Predators Run

“The Marines aboard the aircraft were flying ‍in support of‍ Exercise Predators Run,” the release stated. “Recovery efforts are ongoing. The cause‌ of the ‌incident ⁤is⁤ under investigation. Further⁢ details‍ will ‍be provided as the situation develops.”

Commissioner Michael Murphy⁤ of ‍the Northern Territory Police mentioned that ⁢helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed ⁢to‌ retrieve the remaining injured individuals from the crash site, which was located at a considerable ​distance.

Mr. Murphy also revealed that the crashed Osprey was one of two⁢ that had flown from Darwin to Melville on Sunday.

One of the injured individuals is⁤ currently undergoing surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital, as confirmed by Northern Territory ‍Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. She further stated that some ⁤of the injured are in ⁤critical condition and were triaged upon arrival at ‍Darwin’s airport.

“We acknowledge that this is a terrible incident,” expressed Ms. Fyles. “The Northern Territory government stands ready to provide any necessary assistance.”

About 2,500 troops from the United States, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and East Timor were participating in⁤ Exercise Predators Run⁢ 2023.

Melville Island⁤ is part of the Tiwi⁤ Islands.

Darwin currently hosts 150 U.S. ‍Marines, with approximately 2,500 of ⁢them rotating​ through⁣ the city ⁣each year.

‘Tragic’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “tragic.”

He clarified that Australian ⁣personnel were not⁢ involved in the crash. “The ⁢initial reports ⁢suggest that the incident involves just U.S. defense force personnel,” stated the prime minister ⁣during a previously ⁢scheduled press conference in Western Australia.

“Our focus as a government and as a department of defense is very much on incident response and on making sure that every support and assistance is given at ⁤this difficult time,” he added.

In ‌a separate⁣ statement, Mr. ‍Albanese⁣ and‍ Deputy Prime Minister⁤ Richard Marles expressed their condolences.

“Our⁤ thoughts and deepest condolences are with the three U.S. service​ personnel who lost their loved ones, those who have been injured, the rest of the crew, and ​indeed the entire United ‌States armed ‌forces,” he ​said.

“Australian and U.S. personnel have stood shoulder to shoulder for ⁤more than a century. Our Alliance is built upon these enduring links‌ and our ‌shared values,” the⁣ statement reads. “This incident is a reminder of the‌ significance of the service undertaken by our ⁣defense‌ forces.”