US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 Bloomsbury, Australia, 280723 CREDIT US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE — File photo of US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft preparing to land at Bloomsbury, Australia (Picture: US Department of Defense).

USA

Three US Marines killed in Osprey crash off Australian coast

Three US Marine Corps troops have died after a military aircraft crashed near Darwin, Australia, during a routine training exercise.

Several others have been injured with five Marines taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition.

The aircraft, an MV-22B Osprey was transporting troops, when it crashed on Melville Island about 9:30 am local time with 23 personnel on board, according to a statement from the Marine Rotational Force.

The Marines were taking part in Exercise Predators Run.

It is an annual joint military exercise also involving soldiers from the Philippines, Indonesia and East Timor.

Recovery efforts are continuing and an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

Every year since 2011 US Marines have deployed to Darwin on a rotational basis for six months to conduct exercises with the Australian Defence Force.

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey crashed near Darwin, Australia, at approximately 9:30 local time, 27 Aug. Three Marines have died as a result of the crash, and five others are currently in serious condition.

For additional updates, follow @MRFDarwin. pic.twitter.com/vxDnSdOqdV
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) August 27, 2023