Overview
- Authorities verified that debris in the crater belongs to the missing sightseeing helicopter, but the three people on board have not been located.
- Search and recovery efforts have been paused or tightly limited until weather improves and volcanic gas levels drop.
- The helicopter left Aso Cuddly Dominion at about 10:52 a.m. for a 10-minute flight, with an emergency alert from a passenger’s smartphone recorded at 11:04 a.m. and the last GPS ping near the crater.
- Operator Takumi Enterprise grounded its fleet as officials prepare an investigation; the aircraft was on its third tour of the day with a 64-year-old veteran pilot.
- Taiwanese representatives thanked responders and met local officials, and families of the two Taiwanese passengers arrived in Kumamoto for updates.