TOKYO, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) helicopter crashed near an elementary school in Saga Prefecture, in the northwest part of the island of Kyushu, local media said Monday.
According to public broadcaster NHK, the Saga Prefectural Police Headquarters received information that an SDF helicopter had crashed near the Chiyoda Chubu Elementary School in Kanzaki City at around 4:45 p.m. local time (0745 GMT).
The local city office said the helicopter crash had resulted in a building catching fire near a school and a kindergarten in the city.
An eyewitness from the kindergarten was quoted as saying she heard a loud "bang," but confirmed no one at the kindergarten was injured.
Rescue services have been deployed to the scene, where plumes of black smoke have been seen billowing from the crash site.