A helicopter from the Japanese Defense Forces carrying 10 soldiers has gone missing from the radar on Thursday afternoon, NHK reports.
The Japanese Coast Guard discovered the remains of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on Miyako Island. A plane's wing debris and fuel spills were located near the adjacent island of Irabu.
Officials, however, maintain that the gasoline does not belong to the helicopter.
The helicopter was on a typical patrol out of Miyako Island, with a flight time of less than an hour and regular climate conditions. The American-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft carried ten military soldiers, including the division commander. Their whereabouts are unknown, and the Japanese Coast Guard has initiated a search.
"We will continue to do our utmost... using the vessels and aircraft of the maritime and air self-defense forces, as well as coastguard patrol ships, to rescue everyone who was on board as soon as possible," said Yasunori Morishita, the chief of the Ground Self Defense Force.
The incident is believed to be connected to extraordinary activity by the Chinese military patrolling quite near the borders amid the planned meeting between Taiwan's president and a US official which is going to be held soon.
Comments (0)