Search and rescue teams are continuing to search for the Cambodian Air Force helicopter which went missing in the Cardamom Mountains on July 12. Hun Manet via social media
It has been 11 days since a helicopter from the Cambodian Air Force, piloted by two airmen, lost contact with air command.
The chopper, a Chinese-made Harbin Z-9, went dark on July 12 while training in the Cardamom Mountains, which span Pursat and Koh Kong provinces. The aircraft was on a routine search-and-rescue training exercise when it appears to have disappeared during bad weather.
Speculation began to circulate on social media the day of the incident, with an official notification of the missing aircraft only being released on July 13.
The official announcement led to more rumours as to the occupants of the helicopter and its mission.
To quell these speculations, the Ministry of National Defence released a statement on July 14, clarifying that only two crew members were aboard and denying any attempts to withhold information. The ministry urged citizens and groups to cease spreading false news about the disappearance.
Since then, search efforts have continued across the region, spanning an isolated 50 square kilometres of deep forest and difficult-to-navigate terrain.
The weather in the Cardamom Mountains has been highly variable, with periods of heavy rainfall and dense fog alternating with brief intervals of clear skies. These unpredictable conditions have hindered search and rescue operations for the missing helicopter, making aerial surveillance challenging and hampering ground teams' ability to navigate the terrain safely and efficiently.
Despite these obstacles, efforts have continued, with dedicated teams utilising every window of improved weather to advance the mission.
General Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the ministry, took to social media on July 22 to announce that over the previous day, the weather in the mountain range had shown significant improvement, which was aiding in the search.
Yesterday (July 22), joint forces continued their efforts both on foot and from the air. Some units rappelled from helicopters at positions where they suspect the craft could have crashed, he noted.
According to a July 23 post on Prime Minister Hun Manet’s social media, the search for the helicopter began immediately after contact was lost, and involved both elements of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and local authorities in the area.
In the post, he thanked the defence minister – and other relevant leaders and units involved in the search – for their tireless efforts.
“I also express my gratitude to all Cambodian citizens who have shown their concern and support for the efforts of the search teams to find our airmen in these challenging geographical and weather conditions,” Manet said.
The prime minister vowed to continue the search until the crew of the missing aircraft are found.
