Three people have been injured after a US military helicopter crashed in Australia, the country’s defence ministry has said.

One was left in a critical condition and the two others are in stable conditions after the incident in the country’s Northern Territory on Sunday, according to rescue helicopter operator CareFlight.

Sky News Australia said the v-22 Osprey aircraft was carrying around 20 US marines off the coast of Darwin during an exercise.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) added no one had died.

In an emailed statement to the Associated Press, Northern Territory Police said it had responded to an aircraft crash on Melville Island, adding: “Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the crash “tragic”, telling reporters: “Obviously this is a regrettable incident. I am unable to give further information.

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“The Australian Defence Force are cooperating with our friends in the United States defence force to make sure that we provide every assistance possible.”

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The incident happened during the Exercise Predator’s Run 2023 – a military exercise featuring troops from Australia, the US, Malaysia and the Philippines.

It comes a month after four Australian soldiers were killed during bilateral exercises when their helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland.

The US and Australia have been increasing their military cooperation in the Pacific Ocean in recent years, triggered by a increasingly assertive China.

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