3 US Marines died in plane 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.
The tiltrotor aircraft was transporting 23 Americans at the time of the incident.
Tragically, three individuals have been confirmed dead, while five others are in serious condition and have been transported 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 from the crash site.
It was 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.
Ms. Fyles added that some of the injured are in critical condition and were immediately attended to 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.”
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