The United States Air Force has said that three U.S. airmen were swept out to sea off the coast of Japan on Sunday, resulting in the death of one and leaving two others missing. A strong typhoon named Phanfone was responsible for their disappearance.

Via the New York Times:

In a statement, the Air Force said Japanese and American rescue helicopters had found the body of one of the three Americans after they were carried away by waves from the northeastern coast of the island, which hosts several American military bases. The search for the other two was being hampered by high winds and waves, the statement said.

The typhoon, which has since passed Okinawa, is now headed toward Tokyo, reports say, and has had winds up to 110 mph, though they have now slowed to 100 mph. According to reports, several people on Kyushu, an island off of Japan, "have been injured by the high winds and heavy rains."

[Image via AP]