Kihara said the cause of the crash was not immediately known, but officials believe the two helicopters “highly likely” collided before crashing into the water.
One person has been killed while seven others are missing after two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during nighttime.
The two SH-60K choppers from the Maritime Self-Defense Force were carrying four crew each and lost contact late Saturday near Torishima island, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of Tokyo, the country’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters.
AP reports that Kihara said the cause of the crash was not immediately known, but officials believe the two helicopters “highly likely” collided before crashing into the water.
The navy chief of staff, Adm. Ryo Sakai, said training involving the SH-60s will be suspended until the cause of the crash is determined and preventive measures are adopted.
Rescuers recovered a flight data recorder, a blade from each helicopter, and fragments believed to be from both choppers in the same area, signs that the two SH-60Ks were flying close to each other, Kihara said.
Search and rescue efforts for the missing crew were expanded Sunday with the deployment of 12 warships and seven aircraft. Japan Coast Guard patrol boats and planes also joined the operation.