Two Japanese military helicopters crashed in the Pacific Ocean: what is known

Two SH-60K helicopters of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a training exercise on the night of April 20-21. Rescuers are currently searching for eight missing crew members.

The tragic accident occurred near the island of Torishima, about 600 kilometers south of Tokyo. This was stated by the country's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, The Associated Press reports.

According to the official, communication with one helicopter was lost at 10:38 p.m. on Saturday near Torishima, and a minute later an emergency signal was received from that helicopter. After another 25 minutes, the military realized that another helicopter had lost contact in the same area.

Each SH-60K had four crew members on board. One of them was pulled out of the water, but his condition is unknown.

Eight warships and five aircraft were used to search for people and helicopters. According to the defense minister, rescuers found fragments that probably belong to one of the SH-60Ks.

The cause of the accident is also unknown. Kihara noted that Japanese officials are prioritizing the rescue operation. At the same time, he suggested that the military helicopters could have collided with each other.

"We believe the helicopters have crashed," he said.

The twin-engine Mitsubishi SH-60K multi-purpose helicopters, developed by Sikorsky and known as Seahawks, are primarily operated from naval destroyers. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, they were conducting nighttime anti-submarine warfare exercises. They were not part of a multinational exercise, only the Japanese Self-Defense Forces Navy participated. The ministry also assured that there were no foreign aircraft or warships in the area.

As OBOZ.UA reported, on March 6, a Mexican military helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean. There were eight people on board - three soldiers were killed, three were rescued, and two were reported missing.

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