Police: 5 dead after rescue helicopter crashes into mountain in Japan

Police: 5 dead in Japan helicopter crash

TOKYO — Police say five people are dead after a rescue helicopter crashed into a mountain in central Japan.

Police spokesman Takeshi Iijima said the helicopter was on its way to rescue a fallen climber Sunday in Saitama, around 47 miles (75 kilometers) northwest of Tokyo.

The helicopter initially carried seven people. It crashed after sending two rescue workers to the ground. Police confirmed the two workers were safe, but those on board — two pilots, a firefighter and two rescue workers — were killed.

The climber, who fell into a waterfall basin Saturday, died later.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.