Japan confirms military helicopter crash carrying 10 people

Reuters quoted General Yasunori Morishita, head of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), as saying that the UH-60JA troop transport helicopter disappeared from radar screens while off Miyakojima Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The incident occurred at 3:56 p.m. on April 6 (local time).

The helicopter was carrying 10 military personnel, including the commander of the GSDF's 8th Division. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense , the helicopter left the base in Miyakojima at 3:46 p.m. and was scheduled to return at 5:05 p.m. the same day.

The ministry added that wind speed, visibility and other weather conditions near the island were not adverse.

Nhật Bản xác nhận rơi trực thăng quân sự chở 10 người - Ảnh 1.

Japanese coast guard officials confirmed that during the search, they found what appeared to be parts of the helicopter in or near the waters where it disappeared. They also found oil floating on the water. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is trying to determine whether they belong to the UH-60JA.

At the same time, the Japanese Ministry of Defense considered this an accident and established an accident investigation committee at the GSDF.

At a press conference on April 6, Mr. Yasunori expressed his condolences for the incident and vowed to do his best to search for and rescue survivors, if any.

The GSDF has grounded all helicopters of the same type nationwide, except for helicopters deployed for disaster relief and other serious incidents.

Pham Nghia

Source