A US Air Force airman has died and two more are missing after they were washed out to sea from the coast of Okinawa, Japan, during Typhoon Phanfone, ABC news reported Sunday.
According to a statement from the Kadena Air Base, the three were washed out to sea from the northwest coast of Okinawa.
The incident is believed to be a result of the typhoon, which made landfall with mainland Japan today.
"An Airman that was found by the Japanese Coast Guard and pulled from the sea was later pronounced dead at a local hospital," according to the base's statement.
Helicopters from Kadena Air Base and the Japanese Coast Guard are continuing to search for the remaining two airmen, though rough seas are complicating rescue efforts, the statement said.
The names of the airmen are being withheld for 24 hours after their families are notified.