Sydney [Australia], August 29: Eight US Marines remained in hospital on Monday following the crash of a military aircraft off Australia's northern coast during training exercises a day earlier, as efforts to recover the bodies of the three personnel who died in the incident continued.
There were 23 people on board the MV-22B Osprey aircraft when it went down on Melville Island, north of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory, on Sunday morning.
"We are in the recovery phase and working closely with NT Fire and Rescue Service to assist us with a safe and respectful recovery operation of the three deceased US Marines," Incident Controller Matthew Hollamby APM said in a Monday statement.
Northern Territory police said they would remain at the scene for at least ten days as part of an "extensive investigation" following the crash.
NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles on Monday said that all 20 survivors went through Royal Darwin Hospital.
"Currently we've seen 12 of those people discharged from Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department and eight remain in hospital," Fyles said in a press conference.
Earlier statements by Australian and US authorities had spoken of five wounded.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on Monday said that it was "remarkable" that 20 of 23 personnel on board survived the crash. "And that is in no small part due to the assistance that was able to be provided by those who are on the scene almost immediately."
Source: Qatar Tribune