Hundreds of hotel guests have been evacuated from their accommodation in the popular Australian tourist town as the event unfolded.
The crash at Hilton’s Double Tree Hotel occurred at about 1.50am on Monday local time.
Queensland Ambulance reported the building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries to people on the ground.
Police are on scene investigating the circumstances of the incident and there were no initial reports about those on board the helicopter.
Police did not reveal how many were thought to have been on board but a video posted on social media showed a fire on the roof of the hotel.
Two of the helicopter’s propellers came off and one landed in the hotel pool, according to Australian media reports.
🚨🚨Active Incident 🚨🚨
Emergency services were called to an aviation incident at the Esplanade in Cairns City about 1.50am.
A Helicopter has crashed into the roof a hotel.
The building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no injuries sustained by people on the ground. pic.twitter.com/wrQF2MgeJi— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) August 11, 2024
