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
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Britain has a new sports car. But it's not like anything else you've seen on the road before.Callum,2024-05-21The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City.The NHL Board of Gov2024-05-21China bans Uyghurs from using social media apps — Radio Free Asia
Authorities in Xinjiang have banned Uyghurs from using social media apps including Chinese-owned Tik2024-05-21Man fleeing cops in western Michigan dies after unmarked cruiser hits him
KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP) — A man running from state troopers was struck by an unmarked cruiser Wednesday2024-05-21French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
PARIS (AP) — France’s sports minister has called for soccer club Monaco to be sanctioned after one o2024-05-21Women share the infuriating behaviour that made them start to rethink their relationships
Living with someone else can be a nightmare, especially if they are untidy and take on zero househol2024-05-21
atest comment