Helicopter Crash Off Disputed Islets Leaves 7 South Korean Crew Missing

Helicopter Crash Off Disputed Islets Leaves 7 South Korean Crew Missing

Helicopter Makes an Unexpected Splash in the Dokdo Debacle

What Happened?

A South Korean fire‑dept helicopter, carrying its usual fare of seven folks—including a patient heading to the mainland—took off from the tiny islets of Dokdo only to crash straight into the briny expanse. The incident happened late Thursday, news station Yonhap reports.

Who’s Squeaky About It?

  • The South Korean coast guard has been on patrol, pulling in every vessel, boat, and aerial unit for a search.
  • Private fishermen and boats are also diving into the area, hoping to spot any survivors.
  • The Defence Ministry is ringing in a full rescue team—vessels, planes, and divers included.

Where Is Dokdo?

Those rocky islets are a tug‑of‑war between Seoul and Tokyo. In Korean they’re called Dokdo, while the Japanese refer to them as Takeshima. Seoul keeps a tight leash on the islands and has a small crew of coast‑guards stationed there.

Things to Remember

  • Seven people lost instead of the expected “pilot” only; the patient was also on board.
  • The crash happened just minutes after the helicopter punched off the islet.
  • Rescue forces are in full swing—stay tuned for updates.

Hold Your Breath—We’re Waiting for News

As the sea keeps its secrets, the search teams are working against time. If you hear anything—whether it’s a grateful shout of “All is going well!”—you’ll know the drama isn’t over yet.