Three US Marines died on Sunday when a special aircraft called Osprey crashed on a faraway tropical island during military exercises north of Australia, according to US military authorities.
Rescue workers labored in diminishing light to help survivors leave the remote crash area. US authorities stated that five crew members were airlifted to the Royal Darwin Hospital in critical condition.
The US Marine Rotational Force in Darwin mentioned that there were “a total of 23 individuals on board” during the crash, and Australia’s military confirmed that only Americans were affected.
Efforts to rescue were complicated due to the crash’s location—the isolated Melville Island, about 37 miles north of the closest city, Darwin.
The aircraft involved, known as an Osprey, which is a mix between a helicopter and a plane, was participating in military exercises called Predators Run. These exercises involved soldiers from the US, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other nations.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defense Minister Richard Marles expressed their condolences to the US military. They stated, “This incident reminds us of the importance of the service provided by our personnel and our partner nations.”
Albanese described the crash as “sad” and “unfortunate,” highlighting that authorities were still trying to understand what occurred. He emphasized accuracy in the information provided.
Local authorities shared that Royal Darwin Hospital had initiated its highest emergency alert to prepare for the injured crew’s arrival.
Northern Australia has become vital for the US military’s operations to counter China’s influence in the region.
The Osprey aircraft has a history of fatal crashes, and investigators will work to determine the cause of this crash on Melville Island.
The Osprey is a unique aircraft that combines the features of helicopters and planes. It has been involved in accidents before.
Sunday’s incident follows a fatal crash during a training exercise the previous month, which took the lives of four Australians.