21.01.2026 22:25
The wreckage of a tourist helicopter that went missing from radar during a flight in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, has been located. Search and rescue teams identified parts of the helicopter in the crater area of Aso Volcano. Local authorities have officially confirmed that the wreckage found belongs to the vehicle that lost contact.
A critical development has occurred in the search efforts for the tourist helicopter that went missing in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. It has been announced that the wreckage found in the volcanic crater of Aso Volcano belongs to the helicopter that lost contact during the flight yesterday.
WRECKAGE DETECTED IN VOLCANIC CRATER
According to Kyodo News, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism stated that an object resembling the helicopter fuselage and heavily damaged was detected within the crater of Aso Volcano.
PILOT AND PASSENGERS ARE MISSING
Authorities announced that it has been confirmed that the wreckage found in the crater belongs to the tourist helicopter that went missing yesterday.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the area to reach the pilot and two Taiwanese passengers on board the helicopter. Investigations into how the accident occurred are also continuing.
EMERGENCY SIGNAL WAS SENT
It was recorded that the helicopter, which was planned to fly around Aso Volcano in Kumamoto, sent an emergency signal during the flight but did not return to the base at the scheduled time. Following this, it was stated that teams initiated a comprehensive search and rescue operation throughout the region.