A helicopter has crashed into the roof of a popular hotel in the northern Australian city of Cairns. The pilot died in the crash, Queensland state police said. Parts of the Double Tree by Hilton hotel caught fire after the impact.
Two rotor blades fell into the swimming pool and onto the street, ABC reported. About 400 people were evacuated from the building as a precaution. Two elderly people were slightly injured and are being treated in hospital. There were no other occupants on board the helicopter other than the pilot.
The hotel is located directly on the Esplanade, the famous waterfront in Cairns, in tropical Queensland. The area is a no-fly zone. Charter company Nautilus Aviation said the helicopter had not been authorised to operate. The company is working closely with police and other authorities to clarify the incident, operators said.
A hotel guest reported a “huge, deafening bang.” It sounded like a bomb had fallen. Shortly thereafter, flames erupted down the side of the building. Police then evacuated all guests.
Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and is popular with travelers from around the world. The waterfront is lined with hotels, bars and restaurants and has a man-made saltwater lagoon for swimmers. Northwest of the city is the Daintree National Park with rainforests and beaches.