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.
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Chynna Phillips, 56, reveals she has to undergo surgery to remove a 14
Taylor Swift fans go ballistic as Kim Kardashian FAILS to address the not
Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed
Giants place pitcher Blake Snell on 15
Australia and New Zealand honor their war dead with dawn services on Anzac Day
Crystal Palace ensure Premier League safety by beating Newcastle 2
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
Judge declines to dismiss lawsuits filed against rapper Travis Scott over deadly Astroworld concert
Shooting injures 2 at Missouri high school graduation ceremony
New Orleans man pleads guilty in 2016 shooting death of Jefferson Parish deputy