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.
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Brittany Mahomes drastically changes her signature blonde locks
PLAYER RATINGS: Scores revealed for DIRE Liverpool stars who flopped in first leg against Atalanta
Fernando Alonso commits his future to Aston Martin by signing new two
Target to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflation
Pep Guardiola is spotted wearing a £1.1MILLION watch while managing Man City against Real Madrid
What kind of cancer did O.J. Simpson die from?
5 arrested at dawn over freak accident at Hong Kong boy band Mirror concert
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Man United are 'playing like a small club', blasts Roy Keane after their 2
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Travis Kelce hilariously ripped for his old tweets at New Heights live