US Military Helicopter Drops Inflammable Tube in Okinawa

Incident Sparks Investigation Following Drop of Hazardous Material

A bag containing an inflammable signal flame tube was accidentally dropped from a U.S. military helicopter over the Motobu peninsula in northern Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, as confirmed by a local Defense Ministry bureau.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, involved a UH-1 helicopter. A U.S. Marine Corps official, speaking to Kyodo News on Wednesday, stated the bag, weighing approximately 18 kilograms, was dropped inadvertently during a routine drill. The official confirmed that there were no confirmed civilians in the immediate landing area.

The aircraft's crew, from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, reported the incident around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, as per Marine Corps reports.

The U.S. Marine Corps is undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the matter, emphasizing the safety of local residents.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau is urging residents to report any findings of the bag.

The southern island prefecture of Okinawa hosts a significant number of U.S. military facilities within Japan.