Seven missing after two Japanese military helicopters crash

A helicopter lands on the deck of the a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer on January 31, 2024. (File photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Seven crew members were missing Sunday after an apparent accident overnight involving two Japanese military helicopters off the coast, local media reported.

The helicopters appear to have crashed late Saturday during nighttime training off the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean, broadcaster NHK reported.

One person was rescued, the reports said.

Communication with one chopper was lost at 10:38 pm (1338 GMT) and around 25 minutes later, authorities realized communication had also been lost with a second aircraft.