Two Japanese navy helicopters crash in the Pacific Ocean during training, leaving one dead and seven missing

The two SH-60K choppers from the Maritime Self-Defence Force were carrying four crew each and lost contact late Saturday near Torishima island about 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Tokyo, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters. - Photo: Reuters

TOKYO (AP): Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during a nighttime training flight after possibly colliding with each other, the country's defence minister said Sunday.

One crew member who had been recovered from the waters was later pronounced dead, while rescuers searched for seven others who were still missing.