A search and rescue effort has been launched off the coast of Australia after a US military helicopter crash.

The United States Marine Corps has confirmed it is searching for members after the MV-22 crash off the coast of Queensland

There are unconfirmed reports that 23 of the 25 crew have been rescued.

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"The United States Marine Corps confirms there is an active search and rescue mission ongoing for service members involved in an MV-22 mishap off the east coast of Australia," the Marine Corp confirmed in a statement.

"Ships, small boats and aircraft from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group are conducting the search and rescue operations.

"We will provide more details as they become available."

The US marines have been involved in Talisman Sabre joint exercises with Australian forces, which involves more than 30,000 servicemen and women.

The accident comes just a week after 15 Marines and navymen died in an Osprey crash in the US.