A Japanese military spokesman says the wreckage of a fighter jet that lost contact with the control room shortly after takeoff has been found floating on the sea.
A spokesman for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force said the F-15 jet, which was flying from Komatsu Airbase, had lost contact with the control room, according to the International News Agency.
The spokesman added that despite repeated attempts, the plane could not be reconnected, after which a rescue operation was launched to search for the plane at sea. The Coast Guard and eyewitnesses said they saw flames and a large object floating in the middle of the sea.
In the light of eyewitnesses and the Coast Guard’s statement, the search operation team left for the scene by helicopter and divers. Helicopters have also been spotted floating in the middle of the ocean.
A spokesman for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force said the pilot and crew member on board the training flight had not been identified.