Three people died on Sunday following the fall of a medical helicopter at Nagasaki City Hall, southern Japan, the Japanese coastal guard announced on Monday, indicating that three others were transported alive to the hospital.
Among the dead are an 86-year-old patient, a 68-year-old family member and a 34-year-old doctor.
The helicopter departed from Tsushima Island airport in the homonymous province, around 1:30 pm on Sunday (5:30 am in Lisbon) and should reach a hospital in the city of Fukuoka around 2:15 pm (6:15 am in Lisbon), but had problems about 30 minutes before the expected time of arrival.
A coast guard patrol later found the missing helicopter float and rescued three people alive, transporting them to the hospital. The Coast Guard confirmed the death of the other three passengers.
????Tragic news from Japan: An ambulance helicopter crashed into the sea off Nagasaki, claiming 3 lives. The “doctor helicopter” was en route to a hospital when disaster struck. Rescue efforts saved 3 others, battling hypothermia. #Japannews pic.twitter.com/XUwqEXAExi
– Fahad Naim (@Fhadnaimb) April 6, 2025
The helicopter, operated by a private aviation company, had been temporarily immobilized for security checks after two people died in an accident at Fukuoka City Hall last July.
No irregularities were detected during the inspection of the device.
Source: https://observador.pt/2025/04/08/paciente-medico-e-familiar-morrem-apos-queda-de-helicoptero-no-japao/
