After making a troop transport run from Rabaul to Kolombangara on 7 May  Kagerō  was disabled by a naval mine while leaving Vila port. Barely able to maneuver, she was then attacked by Allied aircraft and sank southwest of Rendova  ().
During its troop transport mission on May 7th, Kagerō encountered a naval mine while departing Vila harbor. Due to its impaired maneuverability, the ship was attacked by Allied aircraft and sank southwest of Rendova.