Japanese UH-60 helicopter (Photo: Yomiuri Shimbun).
Kyodo news agency quoted sources as saying that the UH-60 helicopter carrying 10 people, including some members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), disappeared from the GSDF radar screen at around 4:30 p.m. on April 6 local time.
According to Japanese media, the weather at the time of the helicopter's disappearance was described as normal. On board the helicopter were two pilots, two mechanics and six crew members, all members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Japan Coast Guard patrol boats are searching for the missing helicopter in waters about 18km northwest of Miyako airport.
"Saving people is our top priority," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.
The Japanese military is actively verifying information about the incident.
As of March last year, the GSDF had 40 UH-60JA helicopters, which can carry up to 14 people and are often used to transport emergency patients from remote islands and disaster-hit areas.
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