2 Japanese Navy Helicopters Carrying 8 Crew Believed Crashed in Pacific, Defense Ministry Says
The Ministry of Defense says 8 Indian crew members aboard 2 Japanese Navy helicopters met with an accident in the Pacific.
During a night-time training exercise, two Japanese navy helicopters with eight crewmembers aboard reportedly crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo. Japan's Defense Minister, Minoru Kihara, informed reporters that the incident occurred near Torishima island, approximately 600 kilometres (370 miles) from Tokyo. The helicopters, identified as SH-60Ks belonging to the Maritime Self-Defense Force, were carrying four crew members each.
Following the loss of contact late Saturday, rescue efforts were immediately initiated. While one crew member was recovered from the waters, their condition remained undisclosed. However, seven crew members were still missing at the time of reporting.
The cause of the crash remained unknown, as Kihara emphasized that the primary focus was on the ongoing rescue operation. The Maritime Self-Defense Force mobilized eight warships and five aircraft to locate and rescue the missing crew. Fragments believed to be from one of the SH-60K helicopters were recovered during the search.
Kihara expressed the belief that the helicopters had indeed crashed, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. The deployment of significant resources for search and rescue indicated the urgency and importance attributed to locating the missing crew members.
While the precise circumstances surrounding the incident awaited investigation, concerns for the well-being of the crew members and the determination to carry out a comprehensive search remained paramount. The unpredictable nature of military training exercises underscores the inherent risks involved, necessitating swift and coordinated response efforts to mitigate potential casualties.
As the search and rescue mission continued, authorities and military personnel remained vigilant, employing all available resources to locate and aid the missing crew members. The incident served as a sobering reminder of the challenges and dangers inherent in maritime operations, highlighting the resilience and readiness of response teams in times of crisis.
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