Work to recover a sunken Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter has resumed in waters off the southern prefecture of Okinawa. It was suspended on Sunday due to high waves.

The helicopter disappeared from radar near the island of Miyakojima on April 6. It was carrying a crew of ten.

What are thought to be parts of the damaged fuselage have been found on the seabed at a depth of 106 meters.

Defense Ministry sources say workers plan to place the wreckage onto a large net and lift it out of the water using a crane.

On Monday morning, an unmanned probe was lowered into the sea from a salvage vessel belonging to a private firm.

Five of the helicopter's crewmembers have been confirmed dead so far. Self-Defense Forces personnel plan to retrieve a body spotted on April 18 thought to be that of one of the crewmembers. They are continuing their efforts to find the remaining four.