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The plane carrying Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had to make an emergency landing Tuesday night after leaving Washington, D.C.
The aircraft, a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A, diverted and landed safely at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri, a Defence spokesperson confirmed to Fox News.
“Our highest priority is providing support to the injured member and request that their privacy be respected,” a statement said.
Officials told local FOX 2 that a crew member was struck in the head by luggage, and it was believed to have fallen from an overhead bin.
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President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, October 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Evan Vucci)
That crew member reportedly suffered a concussion and was taken to the hospital.
Albanese’s plane had left Joint Base Andrews at 5:15 p.m., FOX 2 reported, and the emergency landing happened around 7:45 p.m.
President Donald Trump and Albanese signed a critical minerals deal at the White House on Monday as the U.S. had been eyeing the continent’s rich rare-earth resources. This, at a time when China is imposing tougher rules on exporting its own critical minerals abroad.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gestures during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 12, 2024. (Mark Baker, File)
The two leaders described the agreement as an $8.5 billion deal between the allies. Trump said it had been negotiated over several months.
“In about a year from now we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earth that you won’t know what to do with them,” said Trump, boasting about the deal. “They’ll be worth $2.”
Xenotime is a rare earth element that can be found in Australia. (Getty Images )
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Albanese added that the agreement takes the U.S.-Australia relationship “to the next level.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.