ALBAWABA - Two Japanese military helicopters crashed after likely colliding while out at sea, killing one and leaving seven people missing, according to officials.
According to a representative for Japan's self-defense force, the incident occurred late Saturday, and one person was recovered but later declared deceased.
According to NHK, the helicopters appeared to crash during nighttime training off the Izu islands in the Pacific. At 10.38 p.m., communication with one helicopter was lost off the island of Torishima, and one minute later, this aircraft sent an emergency signal, according to NHK.
The defense minister, Minoru Kihara, said rescuers "spotted what is believed to be part of the aircraft in the sea, and we believe that the two helicopters crashed".
He said the helicopters were "doing drills to counter submarines at night". Hours later, Kihara told reporters that the crew member who was rescued was confirmed dead.
He said the ministry retrieved flight recorders and was "analyzing the cause of the incident including the possibility of a collision between the two".
In April 2023, a Japanese army aircraft carrying ten personnel crashed off Miyako island in southern Okinawa, leaving no survivors.
Japan has recently increased its military buildup and deterrence in its southwestern Pacific and East China Sea islands. It comes as China's military presence in the region becomes more powerful.
