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.”