An aircraft incident involving US military personnel occurred mid-morning on Sunday during an exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory, the country’s defence ministry said, while a broadcaster said there were no reports of deaths.
Sky News Australia reported a v-22 Osprey helicopter with about 20 US Marines on board had crashed off the coast of Darwin and a search had begun.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said multiple military personnel had been rescued from an aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, and that there were no reports of fatalities.
“Initial reports suggest the incident involves US defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved,” the ministry said in an emailed statement.
It said the incident occurred on Melville Island north of Darwin during Exercise Predator’s Run 2023.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was previously scheduled to hold a press conference at 5:20 am (GMT), his office said.
