Ministry rejects false reports that 7 people were on missing helicopter

General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia, has stated that only 2 people were on a helicopter that has gone missing in the Cardamom Mountains and requested the public and some media outlets to stop spreading false information about the incident.

General Tea confirmed that there were 2 people – not 7 as has been falsely claimed – on board the Z-9 helicopter that was reported missing from the radar in the Cardamom Mountains between the border of Pursat and Koh Kong provinces on the morning of July 12, 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Tea stated: “I am saddened by the (false) news that seven people have disappeared with a helicopter, and now I would like to say that if we can stop it, we should stop spreading information beyond the facts.

The Royal Government is waiting to hear from the Ministry of National Defense, and there is nothing to hide.”

He asked social media players, especially a small number of journalists, not to take this situation to spread false information that confuses the public at all.

The Minister added that he believed that the helicopter had got into difficulties due to bad weather.

“In this flight mission, there was one pilot and one assistant, so only two flew at the targets set in the Air Force mission. On that day, the weather was unfavorable and we had lost contact for the second day now.”

General Tea Seiha emphasized that the Cambodian Air Force helicopters are flying daily for training, especially to check the latest techniques and equipment in the field of the Air Force.

In addition, according to the plan, there will be short-distance and long-distance training.

This mission was Phnom Penh to Thmor Da, from Thmor Da to Pursat and Pursat province back to Phnom Penh.

He added that the helicopter was on a training mission when it went missing and that the Ministry of National Defense has nothing to hide from the people and the Ministry has also issued a public notice to inform the people

Deputy Prime Minister Tea Seiha added that a team of both land and air forces from the relevant units was actively searching for a helicopter and two airmen.

He thanked private individuals who have offered to help in 4 wheel drive vehicles but said that, due to the weather conditions at the operation site, it is very foggy and the rescue team has already set the direction to deploy forces in this area.

Therefore, the private sector should allow the search and rescue team to continue operating first.