Why is unmanned heavy machinery being used for the recovery?

To avoid the risk of personnel entering the dangerous crater environment.

What happens if the volcano erupts during the recovery operation?

This is not specified in the article, but the Volcano Disaster Prevention Council has approved the operation for a specific period.

Have the families agreed to this recovery method?

According to the article, the plan was formulated after obtaining the families' understanding.

Aso Volcano: Police to Recover Helicopter and Bodies of Taiwanese Tourists Using Unmanned Heavy Machinery

Published Jun 12, 2026 4:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 13, 2026 11:56 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

Kumamoto Prefectural Police announced plans to recover the wreckage and three bodies from a sightseeing helicopter crash inside the Nakadake crater of Mount Aso using unmanned heavy machinery, scheduled between June 15 and July 31. The crash occurred in January, killing two Taiwanese tourists and a Japanese pilot.

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 12th – Comprehensive Foreign News) Two Taiwanese tourists died in January when the sightseeing helicopter they were aboard crashed in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture. The wreckage is currently inside the Nakadake crater of Mount Aso. Kumamoto Prefectural Police stated today (12th) that they will recover the three individuals and the crashed helicopter.

According to reports from the Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun and Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting, the on-site operation will be contracted to a company from outside Kumamoto Prefecture. This company has experience working at heights and on steep slopes using unmanned heavy machinery. The operation will be conducted remotely using unmanned heavy machinery, so no personnel will enter the crater.

Following the accident, the Aso Mountain Park Road has been closed.

To recover the wreckage, the Japan Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Council announced today that it has approved the recovery company's entry into the crater area. The period is from June 15 to July 31.

The helicopter lost contact during a flight on January 20. The severely damaged aircraft was found that evening on a slope about 50 meters below the rim of the Nakadake crater. The accident killed the two Taiwanese tourists and the Japanese pilot on board.

Due to this accident, related volcano sightseeing tours have been suspended. Relevant authorities have been evaluating methods to recover the aircraft using unmanned heavy machinery.

Kumamoto Prefectural Police and the Aso Wide-Area Fire Department attempted to send personnel into the crater for rescue in February but ultimately abandoned the effort. In April, Japan's Ministry of the Environment requested the helicopter operating company, "Takumi Air," to remove the wreckage.

Local fire authorities used a drone in February to confirm figures believed to be the three individuals on board, but determined their chances of survival were extremely low. Due to the high risk of on-site rescue by personnel, a plan for mechanical recovery using machinery was formulated after obtaining the families' understanding. (Editor: Yang Weijing) 1150612

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan

Aso Volcano: Police to Recover Helicopter and Bodies of Taiwanese Tourists Using Unmanned Heavy Machinery

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