JUST IN: Eight Onboard as United States Osprey Aircraft Crashes Near Yakushima Island

In a breaking incident, a United States military V-22 Osprey aircraft, carrying eight individuals, crashed into the ocean near Japan’s Yakushima Island today.

The coast guard spokesperson provided no additional details about the crash, leaving the status of those onboard unknown.

According to reports from witnesses, the crash occurred around 2:47 p.m. local time (0547 GMT), with the aircraft’s left engine allegedly on fire during its descent towards the sea.

A spokesperson for U.S. forces in the region stated that they are actively collecting information on the incident, with the cause of the crash currently under investigation. Rescue operations are underway, and further updates are anticipated.

This unfortunate event follows a similar incident in August when a U.S. Osprey crashed off the coast of northern Australia during a routine military exercise, resulting in the loss of three U.S. Marines. Additionally, in December 2016, another Osprey crash-landed off Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, leading to a temporary U.S. military grounding of the aircraft.

The Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft capable of both helicopter and fixed-wing flight, is operated by the U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy, and the Japan Self Defense Forces. Its deployment in Japan has sparked controversy, with critics expressing concerns about its safety record, while both the U.S. military and Japan maintain that it is a secure aircraft.