Royal Australian Navy sailor dies during shore leave in Middle East

The Australian Defence Force has confirmed a 22-year-old Royal Australian Navy sailor died in Muscat, Oman.

The sailor was deployed on Operation Manitou aboard the Adelaide-class frigate HMAS Darwin.

According to the Royal Australian Navy, the ship was in Muscat, Oman on a scheduled port visit and the sailor was on shore leave in the city when he was found unconscious.

The sailor could not be revived despite medical treatment, the Navy said.

“The Australian Defence Force Investigative Service is assisting local authorities with investigations. As such, it is not appropriate to provide further details at this time,” the department of defense statement said.

Australian ABC subsequently reported that the death was believed to have been linked to bodybuilding supplements bought locally.

HMAS Darwin is currently operating as part of Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational effort to prevent terrorism, piracy and drug smuggling, encourage regional cooperation and promote a secure maritime environment in the Middle East and off the east coast of Africa.