It has been five days since the accident in which a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter disappeared near Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture, but no strong clues have been found leading to the SDF members. On the 5th, the Self-Defense Forces, the Japan Coast Guard, and local fishermen continued to search.
On the 6th of this month, a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter disappeared about 3 kilometers northeast of the northern tip of Irabu Island, which is connected to Miyako Island by a bridge, and 10 people on board are still missing.
Five days after the outbreak, the search operation was difficult, but on the 5th, the Self-Defense Forces, the Miyakojima Coast Guard, and the local Irabu Fisheries Cooperative continued to search around Irabu Island.
Of these, the Self-Defense Forces are conducting searches from the sea and air with approximately 11 people from land, as well as three naval vessels and six aircraft.
In the waters from the north to the northeast of Irabu Island, minesweepers equipped with sonic detectors and submarine rescue ships continue to sail and search under the sea.
In addition, the Miyakojima Coast Guard has two patrol boats that have expanded their search range not only to the north side of the island but also to the western waters.
The local Irabu Fisheries Cooperative has been involved in the search since the 290th, and on the 3th, 6 fishing boats have been dispatched from around 2:10 a.m. to search for clues in the waters around the island.
Search Self-Defense Force 3 ships, 6 aircraft, Japan Coast Guard 2 patrol boats
Due to this accident, the Self-Defense Forces have been searching on land with about 11 people on the 290th.
In addition, three ships are deployed to search at sea and underwater, and six aircraft are also deployed to search for clues from the sky.
The Japan Coast Guard is also continuing the search with two patrol boats.
"We will continue to do our utmost to search for them," said Defense Minister Hamada
Defense Minister Hamada told reporters after the Cabinet meeting, "While aircraft parts and helmets, including what appears to be fuel tanks, have been found, we have not yet been able to locate the 10 missing members of the SDF, and we will continue to make every effort to search for them."