KUALA LUMPUR – Seven people are missing after an apparent accident overnight involving two Japanese military helicopters off the coast, officials confirmed today.
Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said that rescuers “spotted what are believed to be parts of the aircraft in the sea,” while a military spokesman said one of eight people on board had been rescued, AFP reported.
Meanwhile, broadcaster NHK reported that the helicopters appeared to have crashed late yesterday during night-time training off the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Communication with one helicopter was lost at 10.38pm (9.38pm Malaysian time), and around 25 minutes later, authorities realised communication had also been lost with a second aircraft. – April 21, 2024