NewsFatal clash in the skies. One dead, seven missing after Japanese helicopters crash

Fatal clash in the skies. One dead, seven missing after Japanese helicopters crash

Two Japanese navy helicopters crashed in the Pacific south of Tokyo, resulting in at least one fatality and seven individuals missing, as reported by the press agency AP.

Disaster in the Pacific. Two military helicopters crashed.
Disaster in the Pacific. Two military helicopters crashed.
Images source: © Licensor | Adam War�awa

5:32 AM EDT, April 21, 2024

The incident happened during a night-time training flight. The Japanese Ministry of Defense suggests that the collision between the two helicopters is the likely cause of the crash. Currently, the body of one crew member has been found and retrieved from the water, with rescue operations ongoing for the seven others.

Minoru Kihara, the head of Japan's defense ministry, shared further details about the crew involved. He noted that each H-60K Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter carried four crew members. Communication with them was lost late Saturday evening.

Investigating the accident

While the exact cause of the crash remains unclear, Kihara hinted that a collision might have occurred between the helicopters before they went down. Rescuers at the site recovered the flight data recorder and metal fragments, likely belonging to the helicopters.

In response, the Japanese military dispatched eight warships and five planes to intensify the search efforts at the crash location.

Related content
© essanews.com
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.