Missing Thai Helicopter Found With All Occupants Alive

 

 

MYANMAR : -- A Thai helicopter enlisted in the hunt for two Myanmar mountain climbers has been found with all of its occupants surviving, some 10 days after the aircraft went missing in northern Kachin State, according to the foundation organizing search efforts, as reported by The Irrawaddy. 

 

The helicopter carrying three people went missing on Sept 27. Ground control lost contact with the aircraft about 20 minutes after it took off from Putao headed for Tahomdum village, where it was attempting to deliver supplies to a team participating in the search for the mountain climbers on Mount Hkakabo Razi.

On Tuesday, the Htoo Foundation, whose patron Tay Za is one of Myanmar’s biggest tycoons, said the helicopter had been found with all three men on board still alive.

“Today (Tuesday) at 5 p.m., Tay Za met with all three people — the Thai pilot, Myanmar pilot and Shwe Yin Taw Gyi — at Lan Sarr village, and the required medical treatment for them has been arranged,” read a post on the foundation’s Facebook page.

The announcement was accompanied by several photos of the meeting, one in which Tay Za is pictured kissing the cheek of Shwe Yin Taw Gyi, who serves as the magnate’s personal assistance. The statement did not include details on the helicopter team’s ordeal.

Over the weekend, the Htoo Foundation said the search for the two missing climbers would continue, while acknowledging that it was increasingly unlikely that the men — Aung Myint Myat and Wai Yan Min Thu — would be found alive.