Drones used to support Matildas end up in the Yarra River

Professional divers have been called in to fish out drones from the river after a glitch resulted in them plunging into the water during a light display ahead of the Matildas’ game.

In videos posted to social media, drones were seen falling out of formation and into the Yarra River in Docklands on Friday night. Picture: Channel 9

Hundreds of drones have been fished out of the Yarra River after they suffered a mysterious technical glitch during a light display which sent them plunging into the water.

The special display on Friday night was supposed to light up the sky over Melbourne’s Docklands with messages in support of the Matildas ahead of the Football World Cup.

But social media videos show the drones suffering a technical glitch just moments into the display and going into “automatic land” mode.

Hundreds of drones were fished out of the Yarra River on Sunday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The drones suffered a technical glitch during a light display and plunged into the water. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A team of five professional divers were deployed on Sunday to dive into the river and retrieve the droves.

Photos taken near North Wharf at Docklands on Sunday show the divers swimming into the river off small boats and collecting the drones.

Hundreds of drones were collected, put in the boats and taken to cars waiting nearby.

Drones were seen falling out of formation and into the Yarra River in Docklands on Friday night. Picture: Channel 9

The drones were seen falling into the river. Picture: Channel 9

Hundreds of drones had to be fished out of the water due to the malfunction. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The retrieval operation occurred on Sunday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Footage posted to social media shows the moment the drones slowly dropped out of formation and lowering into the Yarra River.

In a media release ahead of the event, the state government said the drones were expected to fly in formation for ten minutes.

The drones suffered a technical glitch. Picture: Channel 9

Divers were seen with the drones on Sunday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The show was supposed to light up the sky “displaying a series of messages and images in support of our Matildas” ahead of a friendly match against France.

The Australian Traffic Network (ATN) operates the drones and said all flying regulations were being followed during the light display.

No one was injured during the incident and water police were on the scene on Friday night.

It is not yet known what caused the technical glitch or how many fell into the water but it is expected to be about 350.

Visit Victoria confirmed a technical glitch was responsible for the malfunction and an investigation had been launched.

The Australian Traffic Network (ATN) operates the drones and has previously run displays for the Australian Open and Vivid Festival in Sydney.

Chief executive Vic Lorusso said it was not known how many drones fell into the water but 500 had been launched and many did not come back.

Sam Kerr of the Matildas leads her team out during the International Friendly match between the Matildas and France at Marvel Stadium on Friday. Picture: Robert Cianflone

“The number one priority was safety and no one was injured during the incident,” he said.

He added the drone operator had followed all Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations.

In a media release prior to the event, the state government said the drones would fly in formation for 10 minutes with “messages and images in support of our Matildas”.

The Matildas were able to pull off a 1-0 victory over France in their friendly ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.