Two helicopters crash in Japan

Two Japanese Navy helicopters with eight crew members on board crashed in the Pacific Ocean. One of them was rescued, seven more are being sought. AP reported this on Saturday, April 20.

Japanese Defense Minister Minora Kihara told reporters that two SH-60K helicopters belonging to the Maritime Self-Defense Force and carrying four crew members each lost contact on Saturday night near the island of Torishima in the Pacific Ocean. , about 600 kilometers south of Tokyo.

One of the eight crew members was pulled from the water, but there is no word yet on his condition.

The cause of the accident is unknown, the minister said, adding that the authorities are giving priority to the rescue operation.

Rescuers found fragments of what was likely one of the SH-60Ks, Kihara said.

“We believe the helicopters crashed,” he said.

Kihara noted that the twin-engine multirole helicopters, designed by Igor Sikorsky and known as Seahawks, conducted night anti-submarine training. The other lost contact at 10:38 pm (1338 GMT) after sending an emergency signal. One lost contact after about 25 minutes.

It was previously reported that a military helicopter had crashed in Cuba. Three officers died in the accident.

Also, a Mexican military helicopter crashed in the Pacific Ocean, leaving three soldiers dead and two missing.