Crashed MSDF helicopter found on seabed

The main body of one of two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol helicopters that collided and crashed off a remote Tokyo island in April has been found on the seabed in the area where the accident occurred, sources familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

It was discovered by the unmanned deep-sea exploration probe Deep Tow of the Japanese Agency for Marine, Earth Science and Technology during a search mission commissioned by the Ministry of Defense.

According to the sources, the unmanned probe found what looked like a helicopter on the seabed, and the number on the supposed helicopter matched that of the crashed aircraft. An object believed to be the fuselage of the other helicopter was found nearby. Work is currently underway to confirm the details.