Following a two-helicopter exercise in North Queensland, an Australian Army helicopter dropped into the water, leaving four military soldiers missing and presumed dead.
When the MRH 90 Taipan helicopter crashed near Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays at around 11 p.m., it was taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre, which was military training between the Australian and US forces.
Four air crew members were aboard and still unaccounted for, but deputy prime minister Richard Marles said a search and rescue effort was ongoing.
Due to the presence of a second helicopter, according to Marles, a search and rescue operation might start right now.
The four air crew members’ families have been informed of the tragedy, and according to a Brisbane-based reporter, “our hopes and our thoughts are very much with the air crew and their families.”
“It’s still early, and there will be a lot more information about this incident to come, but defence exercises, which are crucial for our defence force’s readiness, are no laughing matter.
“They are risky, and we are fervently hoping for better news later on in the day.
“We are reminded of the seriousness of the act that goes along with donning our country’s uniform.”
Anthony Albanese, the prime minister, said his initial thoughts were for the missing people’s families.
In a joint statement with Marles, Albanese said, “All Australians hold them in our hearts and we hold onto hope as the search and rescue teams are currently at work.”
“We have complete faith in their competence and professionalism.”
Finding their people, helping the families, and the rest of their team, said to defence chief Angus Campbell, was their top priority.
Campbell declared, “This is in fact a dreadful moment.
“I truly appreciate the help that has been given by a number of civil authorities, including the Queensland Police, the Australian Maritime Safety Agency, the general public, and US allies, who have all come together to help and continue the search and rescue efforts and find victims.
“As excise director, I’ll be available all day in the coming days to provide updates as they become known to us so that everyone is aware of what we’re doing to better care for our people,” he said.
This year, 13 nations have participated in Talisman Sabre, a bilateral joint military exercise between Australia and the United States.
It started in 2005 and now involves 30,000 military troops, making it the largest one this year.
