The Australian Defense Force (ADF) said Wednesday that an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter has been lost at sea near Fiji.

Defense said the helicopter had been operating from aboard a landing ship, which was dispatched with two other warships to the sea near Fiji in case of a possible military coup in the Pacific island country earlier this month.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation television reported that it was understood some personnel had been rescued but others might be missing.

The Black Hawk, which carries a crew of four and up to 10 soldiers, is the principal transport helicopter of the Australian Army. It entered service in 1988.

Source: Xinhua