By The South Asia Times

CANBERRA - At least four army personnel have been missing after an Australian army helicopter crashed into sea  near Lindeman Island, off the Queensland coast.

In a statement, Australian military confirmed the incident and said Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopter has impacted waters near Lindeman Island, off the Queensland coast which was participating in a night-time training activity as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 when it was reported missing late Friday night. 

"Four crew were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident and are currently missing," it said.

 Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles along with Chief of Defence Force General Angus Campbell, Talisman Sabre Exercise Director Brigadier Damian Hill, said that helicopter was engaging in a two helicopter mission.

"The families of the four air crew have been notified of this incident and our hopes and our thoughts are very much with the air crew and their families. Our hopes are very much with the efforts of the search and rescue crews as they go about their work right now," he said.

Later, Brigadier Damian Hill said search operation is still continued but sadly, at this stage, those personnel have yet to be found.

"The combined search and rescue effort by the Australian Defence Force, the United States and Queensland and federal emergency services continues. We have both air and maritime assets currently in location undertaking this search," he said in a statement.

"That includes both Australian - Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft, Royal Australian Navy helicopters, United States Navy maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters, Canadian helicopters, as well as the Queensland and federal agency fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft. As well as Queensland Emergency Services vessels on the scene, Australian Defence Force also has its vessels participating exercise Talisman Sabre deployed on the scene. HMAS Brisbane is also on the scene. HMAS Adelaide will arrive later this evening and then early tomorrow, HMAS Huon will arrive in the vicinity as well," said the commander.

Meanwhile, the ongoing largest military exercises of 13 countries involve some 30,000 troops have also been paused.

"As Exercise Director, I put a pause on the exercise this morning. I wanted our people to contact their families to let them know they were safe and what was happening. We have started some limited exercise activity again, mostly in Western Australia and Northern Territory," said Hill.

"As a precaution, the ADF has established an operational pause for all of our MRH-90 fleet," he added.