5 missing Marines in Japan crash declared dead

TOKYO (AFP) — The United States military on Tuesday declared five missing Marines dead, ending search operations nearly a week after two US military aircraft crashed off Japan.

The announcement brings the final toll in the Dec. 6 crash to six, with a seventh crew member rescued after the deadly incident.

The crash involving an F/A-18 fighter jet with two crew onboard and a KC-130 refuelling tanker with five crew occurred in the early morning around 55 nautical miles off the cape of Muroto in southwestern Japan.

It prompted a massive search and rescue operation, which the US military said had now been called off.

“Every possible effort was made to recover our crew and I hope the families of these selfless Americans will find comfort in the incredible efforts made by US, Japanese and Australian forces during the search,” US Marine Corps Lieutenant General Eric Smith, commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, said.

The accident was initially reported to have happened during a refuelling operation, but the military yesterday said this has not been confirmed and that the circumstances were still under investigation.

Around 50,000 US troops are stationed in Japan and accidents are not uncommon.

In November, a US navy fighter jet crashed into the sea off Japan’s southern island of Okinawa and its two crew members were rescued alive.