Three crew members were presumed dead Friday as debris from a missing military helicopter was spotted on a mountain in south-western Japan, dpa reported.
The OH-6D model chopper went missing with the three on board Thursday morning over the city of Isa, Kagoshima prefecture, after leaving the military's Kanoya base nearby on a training flight, Jiji Press reported, citing Defence Ministry officials.
Troops and police resumed a search operation early Friday after they were unable to locate the helicopter Thursday.
Weather authorities issued a thunderstorm advisory for the region while the training flight was taking place, Jiji said.