Japan’s Ministry of Defense declared the seven missing Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) members from two SH-60K patrol helicopters that collided during a nighttime drill on April 20th dead on Tuesday, June 11th.
The crash happened around 167 miles (270 km) east of Torishima Island, in the Izu island chain.
The death toll is officially eight, as one body has been found. Both helicopters carried four MSDF members.
“I feel sorry as we searched hard for them. I’m also heartbroken for their families,” Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated at a press conference. He also added that the Japanese Maritime Defense Force will continue to search for the remaining missing bodies.
