Seven missing after military helicopter crash in Japan

Seven crew members were missing after an apparent night accident between two japanese military helicopters near the coast, authorities reported Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Self Defense Forces (FAD) confirmed the incident that occurred Saturday night and said that one person was rescued and seven were missing.

The Minister of Defense, Minoru Kiharatold reporters that rescuers “detected what are believed to be parts of an aircraft in the sea.”

“At this point the causes are unknown, but first we must do everything possible to save lives,” Kihara added.

He indicated that the helicopters “were carrying out maneuvers to counteract submarines at night”.

The helicopters would have collided on Saturday night during night training near the Izu Islands, in the Pacific, according to NHK television.

Communication with one of the helicopters was lost at 10:38 p.m. (1:38 p.m. GMT) and about 25 minutes later, the authorities realized that they had lost contact with the second device.

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