SYDNEY, April 2 (UPI) -- All nine people aboard an Australian navy helicopter on a relief mission to earthquake-struck Indonesia died Saturday when the chopper crashed.
The aircraft, which was carrying nine people, went down off the coast of the island of Nias, ITV.com reported.
"A Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopter has crashed in the vicinity of Gunungsitoli on the island of Nias shortly after 7:30 p.m. Australian eastern time," an Australian Defense Department spokesman said.
The helicopter was from HMAS Kanimbla, an amphibious transport ship sent to provide relief after Monday's earthquake, which measured 8.7 on the Richter scale and left an estimated 1,300 dead on several islands west of Sumatra.
"The Kanimbla is steaming towards the crash site," the defense spokesman said.
The cause of the crash was under investigation.
