Just In: U.S. Military Helicopter Crashes With 20 Marines Onboard

A U.S. military helicopter that was carrying over 20 U.S. marines crashed early Sunday morning while conducting exercises in Australia.

The crash took the lives of three U.S. Marines and injured five others.

According to authorities the, U.S. MV-22B Osprey helicopter crashed on Melville island while conducting exercises.

Besides U.S. marines, military personnel from Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste were also conducting military exercises alongside the U.S..

**US Military Helicopter Crash off Australian Coast**

A V-22 Osprey helicopter, carrying 22 US Marines, has tragically crashed off the coast of Australia, as reported by local 9News TV channel. Media sources indicate that a search and rescue operation is currently in progress.… pic.twitter.com/ouWQYlkjNg

— Zlatti71 (@djuric_zlatko) August 27, 2023

Sky News Australia has learned of a military helicopter crash off the coast of Darwin, as an emergency search for unaccounted personnel begins.https://t.co/C9ocow0ftz

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) August 27, 2023

Here’s what Fox News reported:

A military helicopter carrying more than 20 U.S. Marines crashed Sunday morning during an exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory, killing three military personnel onboard and injuring the others.

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Three Marines were killed and 20 others were hurt, some critically, when the MV-22B Osprey helicopter crashed at about 9:30 a.m. local time on Melville Island off the coast of the city of Darwin as military personnel from the U.S., Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste were participating in exercise drills.

A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Defence confirmed the incident in a statement to Fox News Digital and said no Australians were involved in the crash.

“Defence can confirm an aircraft incident occurred mid-morning on 27 August on Melville Island, north of the city of Darwin, during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023,” the spokesperson said. “Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved. At this critical early stage, our focus is on the incident response and ensuring the safety of those involved.”

Three US Marines killed and five more seriously hurt after helicopter crashes in northern Australia, US officials say https://t.co/oJktQag5Tw

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 27, 2023

Per BBC:

Three US marines have been killed and 20 injured after a military helicopter crashed during exercises in Australia.

The MV-22B Osprey came down on its way to the remote Tiwi islands north of Darwin. Five of the marines are said to be in a serious condition.

They were taking part in Predators Run, involving 2,500 troops from the US, Australia, the Philippines, East Timor and Indonesia.

Only US personnel were on board the aircraft.

The incident took place on Melville Island north of the Northern Territory capital Darwin on Sunday.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as tragic and said every assistance would be given to the injured.