Japanese military: One person killed and seven others missing after two military helicopters crashed

TOKYO April 21, 2024 (Saba) – Official Japanese media reported Sunday, citing Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, that one person was killed and seven others were missing after two military helicopters crashed in the country.

Kihara said in press statements that the probable cause of the crash was the collision of two SH-60K helicopters, each with a crew of four, during night anti-submarine exercises in the area east of Tori-Shima Island in the United States. Pacific.

Japan’s Defense Minister added that the military had already found a suspected wreckage of a helicopter during a search operation after the accident, adding that the cause of the accident was still unknown.

Earlier, Japan’s Defense Ministry said the SH-60K helicopter stopped communicating in the Torishima island area near the Izu island chain, and after a minute the helicopter sent a distress signal.

The ministry added that about half an hour later, another similar helicopter stopped calling from the same area.

SHE

source: Saba