CNN According to information received from the US authorities, in addition to the three people killed, five others were injured and taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital in critical condition.
The crash happened on the Australian island of Melville at around 9:30 a.m. local time.
“Helicopters on board the US Navy Predators supporting the RUN 2023 military exercise. Rescue efforts are still ongoing. The cause of the incident is being investigated” – emphasized a statement from US military officials.
Northern Territory chief Natasha Files said earlier that several other US Marines were being treated at the scene.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a tragic accident. Mr Albanese said: “We are deeply concerned about this accident and will make sure all assistance is available at this time.”
Image of a US MV-22B Osprey helicopter. Photo: AP
It is to be known that the joint exercise Predators Run 2023 is held in Australia, apart from the host, it also includes the US, Indonesian, Philippine and East Timor forces, in which a total of 2,500 soldiers participate.
CNN Said the latest incident in Australia was one of several involving Osprey helicopters over the past few years.
Last year, five US Marines were killed when an MV-22B Osprey crashed during a training mission near Glamis, California.
That same year, four American service members were killed when an Osprey crashed during a NATO exercise in Norway.
