World
16:44, 05-Feb-2018
At least one killed after SDF helicopter crashes near school in SW Japan
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Of the two crew members, one was killed after a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (SDF) helicopter crashed in a residential area on Monday in Saga Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu in southwest Japan, according to the country’s defense ministry.
The other person on board was found without vital signs, local police said.
The accident, happened at around 4:45 p.m. local time (0745 GMT) near the Chiyoda Chubu Elementary School in Kanzaki-shi, and sparked a fire in a residential area nearby, according to media reports.
Footage showed flames engulfing a building and thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the air.
Among four people inside the house at the site of the helicopter crash, an elementary school girl suffered minor injuries to her knee, the others have been confirmed safe, said local police.
According to Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, the crash occurred while the helicopter was conducting training.
1448km