US Marines have pronounced 5 missing crew members dead after a mid-air collision. The search mission has also finished.
The crash occurred when the warplanes were on a routine training and aerial refuelling mission. ABC News broadcaster reported that one of the seven crew members had been rescued by the Japanese authorities, while six others remained missing. Later, one person was declared dead.
The US 7th Fleet has been conducting search and rescue operations along with Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force and Japanese Coast Guard outside Kadena Air Force Base.
While the reason for the incident has not been announced, Japan's Kochi prefecture has turned to US authorities with a request to provide Tokyo with details on the mishap.