1 killed, 7 missing as Japan’s two military helicopters crash during drills

Tokyo: One crew member was killed and seven are missing after two Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force helicopters crashed during a drill in the Pacific late Saturday, Kyodo News reported, citing the country’s defence minister.

The tragic crash, in which seven crew members are still not found, occurred around 270 kilometres east of Torishima Island in the Izu Island chain during a nighttime anti-submarine drill.

The Izu island chain, where the crash took place, is located south of Tokyo.

Japan’s Defence Minister Minoru Kihara told the media that the choppers reportedly collided with each other, which resulted in the crash, according to Kyodo News.

The defence minister also stated that two flight recorders were also found “at extremely close locations,” and other aircraft debris was also found during a post-accident search.

Following the incident, MSDF training involving SH-60K helicopters will be suspended, he added, as per Kyodo News.

Each carrying four crew members, the SH-60K helicopters lost contact at 10:38 p.m. and 11:04 p.m., on Saturday, respectively.

Two of the helicopters were from Omura Air Base in Nagasaki Prefecture and Komatsushima Air Base in Tokushima Prefecture.

The investigation is underway and the cause of the crash is not known yet. Further details are awaited