No Hope Of Finding Survivors From Drowned Australian Military Chopper, Says Government

Four Australian defence personnel were involved in a military exercise with the US when their helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland.

The Australian authorities said on Monday that they have lost hope of finding any survivors from the military helicopter that crashed into the sea during exercises over the weekend. Four Australian defence personnel were involved in a military exercise with the US when their helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland. Speaking to media, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said now that enough of the wreckage had been recovered, it was clear there had been a "catastrophic incident". Marles was quoted by AFP as saying that the loss of these four men is as "significant and meaningful" as the loss of anyone who has worn our nation's uniform, adding he was "deeply sorry" for their families.

Australia called off the search and rescue operation as per the report. Initially, the rescuers had clung on to the slim chances of finding the helicopter and the four crew members alive. However, those were dashed after they found significant wreckage from the aircraft. The chopper had been taking part in the large-scale Talisman Sabre exercise, which brought together 30,000 military personnel from  Australia, the United States along with several other nations.

Late Friday night, it plunged into the water near the Whitsunday Islands. "There was a catastrophic impact, and that forms part of why we are now transferring this from an activity of search and rescue, to one of recovery," Marles was quoted by AFP.

The militaries of three nations had joined in the search with the police to look for the crew of MRH-90 Taipan which went down in subtropical waters off the northeast coast of Australia.

According to the news agency, a fleet of more than 40 Taipan helicopters in Australia which were due to be retired at the end of 2024 will be grounded until investigators have a better idea of what caused the crash, Marles said.

There have been complaints from Australia about Europe-made Taipans, citing difficulties with maintenance and getting spare parts. The fleet was grounded for a month earlier this year after one of the helicopters suffered engine failure during a nighttime training exercise, forcing the crew to ditch into the ocean.

Australian Chief of Defence Angus Campbell said authorities would be doing everything they could to find the bodies and recover the rest of the wreckage.