Copter missing, SAR ops launched

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Heli carrying a deputy minister on the way from Betong to Kuching vanished from radar near Sebuyau

Lead2016KUCHING: A search-and-rescue operation has been launched after a helicopter ferrying VIPs from Betong to Kuching vanished from radar yesterday afternoon near Sebuyau.

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general, Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, who confi rmed the incident, said the helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350, left Betong at 4.12pm and was supposed to have arrived here at 5pm.

A screenshot of the passengers manifest posted in the social media indicated those on board were Datuk Noriah Kasnon, the deputy minister of Plantatation Industries and Commodities and fi ve others including her husband Asmuni Abdullah and the pilot.

The police have confi rmed the disappearance of a helicopter but have declined to confirmed the identities of those onboard.

State police commissioner Datuk Seri Muhammad Sabtu Osman said in a press conference late last night that a joint interagency search-and-rescue team has been activated following notifi cation from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) of the craft’s disappearance.

He also categorically denied various information currentlymaking the rounds on social media that the helicopter has landed safely with all those onboard safe.

“We have already despatched a General Operations Force (GOF) platoon to Triso in Sri Aman. They are joined by 13 Marine Police personnel, 30 from the State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and 30 from the Civil Defence Department.”

He confi rmed that the helicopter in quest ion, model AS350/ RPC6828, departed from Betongat 4.12pm and vanished from radar at 4.32pm- the halfway point to Kuching- around the Triso area.

“The Sri Aman OCPD has already sent his men to check the area three times but have not found anything.

“Regardless, we will focus the SAR operation in that area. Police personnel in Sri Aman, Simunjan and Betong are also on the ground now,” said Sabtu.

Additionally, police forensic divers, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and navy personnel are expected to be despatched to assist.

Sabtu added that he hoped for the best outcome but could not give any positive answer as to what may have happened.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak expressed his concern of the incident via his of ficial Twitter account, saying:

“Deeply concerned about reports of helicopter missing betwen Betong & Kuching. Search and rescue operated. Let us pray for their safety.”