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US Osprey aircraft crashes off Okinawa coast in Japan | US Osprey aircraft crashes off Okinawa coast in Japan |
(35 minutes later) | |
The US Marines have suspended flights of all Osprey military aircraft in Japan, after a crash off the coast of Okinawa island. | The US Marines have suspended flights of all Osprey military aircraft in Japan, after a crash off the coast of Okinawa island. |
The incident on Tuesday night injured five crew members onboard. | The incident on Tuesday night injured five crew members onboard. |
It stoked immediate anger among locals, some of whom have previously complained about the US military bases and the Osprey aircraft's safety record. | It stoked immediate anger among locals, some of whom have previously complained about the US military bases and the Osprey aircraft's safety record. |
It combines helicopter and aeroplane capabilities and has been involved in accidents worldwide. | It combines helicopter and aeroplane capabilities and has been involved in accidents worldwide. |
The most recent crash was in Hawaii in May last year, in which two US Marines died. | The most recent crash was in Hawaii in May last year, in which two US Marines died. |
Read more: Why Okinawa is against the US military | Read more: Why Okinawa is against the US military |
Tuesday's incident took place near the controversial US Marine base Camp Shwab around 22:00 local time (13:00 GMT). | Tuesday's incident took place near the controversial US Marine base Camp Shwab around 22:00 local time (13:00 GMT). |
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis described it as a "mishap" as the aircraft landed in shallow water, and said they would conduct an investigation. | Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis described it as a "mishap" as the aircraft landed in shallow water, and said they would conduct an investigation. |
The US maintains two Osprey squadrons in Japan, according to Reuters. A squadron typically has between 12 and 24 aircraft. | The US maintains two Osprey squadrons in Japan, according to Reuters. A squadron typically has between 12 and 24 aircraft. |
Locals have long opposed the use of Ospreys, which are based in Futenma air station near densely populated neighbourhoods. | Locals have long opposed the use of Ospreys, which are based in Futenma air station near densely populated neighbourhoods. |
Okinawan governor Takeshi Onaga, known for critical view of US presence on the island, called the incident "really outrageous". | Okinawan governor Takeshi Onaga, known for critical view of US presence on the island, called the incident "really outrageous". |
"Although it occurred at sea, it's really scary thinking it could have fallen on where we are living," local resident Yuri Soma told Kyodo news agency. | "Although it occurred at sea, it's really scary thinking it could have fallen on where we are living," local resident Yuri Soma told Kyodo news agency. |
Local anger against the US military has intensified in recent months after a civilian worker on a US base was arrested in May for the rape and murder of a local woman. | Local anger against the US military has intensified in recent months after a civilian worker on a US base was arrested in May for the rape and murder of a local woman. |
Okinawans have also opposed the government-approved relocation of Futenma air station in the middle of the island to Camp Schwab, as they want the bases to be removed entirely. |
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