- Helicopter crashes on hotel roof <unk> Hotel partially in flames
In the northern Australian city of Cairns, a helicopter has crashed onto the roof of a well-known hotel. The pilot was killed in the incident, which occurred around 2:00 AM local time, according to Queensland Police. Parts of the "DoubleTree by Hilton" hotel caught fire after the impact.
Two rotor blades landed in the pool and on the street, according to ABC News. Around 400 people were evacuated from the building as a precaution. Two elderly people were lightly injured and are being treated in the hospital. There were no other passengers in the helicopter.
Helicopter flight was not authorized
The hotel is located directly on the Esplanade, the popular waterfront promenade of Cairns in tropical Queensland. The area is a no-fly zone. Charter company Nautilus Aviation stated that the helicopter's use was "not authorized." The company is working closely with police and other authorities to investigate the incident, they emphasized.
A hotel guest reported a "deafening, ear-splitting bang." It sounded like a bomb had hit. Shortly after, flames were seen shooting up the side of the building. Police then evacuated all guests.
Cairns has a population of about 160,000 and is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, attracting tourists from around the world. The Esplanade, located right by the sea, is lined with hotels, bars, and restaurants, and has a man-made saltwater lagoon for swimming. Northwest of the city lies the Daintree National Park, featuring rainforests and beaches.
The Queensland Police are currently investigating the unsauthorized flight of the helicopter that crashed. Due to the incident, additional security measures were implemented by the Police around the Esplanade in Cairns.
