Rescue efforts are ongoing and some of the people on board are still “missing”.
A rescue operation is underway after a US military helicopter crashed off the northern coast of Australia with 20 Marines on board.
Several people were rescued, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), after the Osprey V-22 went down near Melville Island, about 60 km (37 miles) from Darwin.
Australia’s Department of Defense said the accident happened during annual Predator Run exercises involving the armies of Australia, the United States, East Timor, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Australian Defense Force (ADF) said no Australian personnel were on board the Osprey.
“At this early and critical stage, our focus is on responding to the incident and ensuring the safety of those involved,” the ADF said in a statement. “More information will be provided as appropriate.”
