1 dead, 7 missing after 2 Japan MSDF helicopters crash near Izu Islands
One death has been confirmed after two patrol helicopters of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) crashed over the sea near Izu Islands on Sunday morning, according to the country's defense ministry.
Among the eight members on board, one was reported dead after being rescued, while the remaining seven are missing, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told the press, citing a possibility that the two aircraft collided in the air on Sunday morning.
In addition, a part of the aircraft, including the blade of the rotary wing, was found around the site, so it was determined that the two aircraft crashed.
The MSDF spotted what is believed to have been helicopter debris during a post-accident search, Kihara added, noting that two flight recorders were found nearby and recovered.
The two SH60K patrol helicopters, each carrying four crew members, disappeared on Saturday night during a nighttime anti-submarine drill in the waters east of Torishima island, part of the Izu island chain, according to the defense ministry.
The two MSDF aircraft lost communication at around 10:38 p.m. and 11:04 p.m. local time, respectively.
A vessel that participated in the drill received an emergency signal one minute after the first helicopter lost communication, according to multiple local media outlets.
The SH60K patrol helicopter has a total length of about 20 meters and a width of more than 16 meters, with 2 engines and a crew of 4 people, the MSDF website showed.
Equipped with a dedicated device for detecting submarines, it is mainly mounted and operated on escort ships.
In April last year, 10 people died after a UH60JA helicopter of the Ground Self-Defense Force crashed into the sea in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture.
Related articles
Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A plan to boost pay for Uber and Lyft drivers in Minnesota that lawmakers bel2024-05-21Ukraine to face critical phase of war in next two months: commander
KIEV, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Oleksandr Pavliuk, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said the count2024-05-21These outrageous and bizarre signs will leave you totally baffled
You would hope that a public sign would be able to point you in the right direction or give you usef2024-05-21BAFTA TV Awards 2024: Tess Daly exudes glamour in an off
Tess Daly exuded glamour in an off-the-shoulder white gown as she cosied up to her dapper husband Ve2024-05-21Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
Ben Whishaw was all smiles at the world premiere of Limonov: The Ballad at the 77th annual Cannes Fi2024-05-21Shohei Ohtani leaves late in Dodgers' win over Padres with back tightness
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star designated hitter Shohei Ohtani left after his fourth at-b2024-05-21
atest comment