WEB DESK

A helicopter of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force disappeared from radar on a mission today evening near Miyako island. The coast guard said it received information that a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter disappeared.

Japan’s coast guard said that search was underway for an army helicopter that went missing off a southern Japanese island. The helicopter carried 10 crew members along with it.

The coast guard further said that though four patrol ships are participating in the search operation, they have not been able to trace the helicopter yet.

The incident comes as Japan is beefing up its defense in the island region in response to China’s increasingly military activity.

According to Kyodo News, Japanese coast guard ships found traces of oil and debris which are suspected to be from that of the missing helicopter. However officials have not yet confirmed the report.

Commenting on the disappearance of the helicopter, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, We will do our utmost to save their lives.