A missing tourist helicopter near an active volcano in Japan has been located by authorities. The helicopter, carrying two Taiwanese tourists and a Japanese pilot, vanished while sightseeing in the Mount Aso area. The discovery was made by police near Nakadake’s primary crater, following a distress signal received by the helicopter’s operator, Takumi Air.
The search operation was initiated when the helicopter failed to land at its scheduled time. Despite heavy fog hindering search efforts, signals from the aircraft were confirmed. The passengers have been identified as a 41-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman from Taiwan, along with a 64-year-old Japanese pilot.
Mount Aso, Japan’s second-largest active volcano, has a history of significant eruptions that shaped its landscape. Mount Nakadake, one of its peaks, features multiple craters, including an active one known as crater one. The area is popular for its volcanic terrain and scenic views.