One U.S. Marine was rescued, but six others were missing late Wednesday after two Marine Corps aircraft collided while refueling in mid-air during a regularly scheduled training exercise off the coast of Japan.
The aircraft -- a KC-130 and an F/A-18 Hornet -- had launched from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in southern Japan. The accident occurred at around 2 a.m. Thursday, local time (12 p.m. Wednesday ET).
Japan's Defense Ministry said the two aircraft crashed into the sea about 60 miles south of the Muroto cape on the Shikoku main island.
A U.S. official told Fox News that seven Marines were on board the two aircraft. Two aviators were on the F/A-18 Hornet, while five Marines were on the KC-130.
Japanese officials said the rescued Marine was in stable condition but did not provide further details.
The Marines said in a statement that the incident was under investigation.
This is a developing story; check back for more updates.
One Marine rescued, 6 missing after planes collide off Japan
Tag: English News
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