SEOUL: Three people were missing after a South Korean naval helicopter crashed into the sea off the country´s east coast Monday night during a joint military drill with the US, the defence ministry said.
The Lynx helicopter sent out a distress signal and disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from a warship on the East Sea (Sea of Japan) at around 1200 GMT, a ministry spokesman said.
The aircraft apparently crashed into the sea, he said, adding search efforts were underway to find the three who were on board, including the pilot.
Monday´s joint naval exercise was the latest display of military might in reponse to North Korea´s fifth nuclear test earlier this month, which raised tension on the peninsula.
It involved US guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance and South Korean warships, and simulated attacks on the North´s troops as well as submarine detention, Yonhap news agency said.
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