A military helicopter carrying seven people, including five senior military officials, went missing near Guyana’s border with Venezuela on December 6, 2023. The helicopter was shuttling from Ekereku to Olive Creek in Essequibo County when it lost contact with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The cause of the disappearance is still unknown, but authorities have said that there was bad weather in the area.
The GDF has launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing helicopter and its passengers. According to sources, the helicopter was a GDF BELL 412 Helicopter with registration number 8R-AYA. The missing passengers include Colonel Ram Singh, Major General Paul Arthur, Brigadier Mark Phillips, Colonel Godfrey Bess, and Colonel Patrick West. The GDF has assured the public that it is doing everything possible to locate the missing helicopter and its passengers.
Overview of the Guyana Helicopter Incident
On December 6, 2023, a Guyanese army helicopter carrying 5 people disappeared near Guyana’s border with Venezuela. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions between the two countries regarding the disputed region of Essequibo.
Timeline of Events
According to reports, the helicopter, a GDF Bell 412, lost contact with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) approximately 30 miles east of Arau. The helicopter was on a routine journey from Ekereku to Olive Creek when it vanished. The GDF immediately launched a search and rescue operation with the support of the Venezuelan military.
Authorities have stated that bad weather is the most likely cause of the aircraft’s disappearance, but they have not ruled out hostile fire. There has been no indication that the helicopter was hit by hostile fire, and authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Helicopter Details and Flight Path
The GDF Bell 412 helicopter is a recent addition to the GDF’s fleet and is equipped for both transport and reconnaissance missions. The helicopter was carrying three crew members and four passengers, all of whom are senior military officials.
The flight path of the helicopter was from Ekereku to Olive Creek, both located in the disputed Essequibo region. The region has been the subject of a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela for decades, with tensions escalating in recent years. The disappearance of the helicopter has further heightened tensions between the two countries.
In conclusion, the disappearance of the Guyana army helicopter has raised concerns about the safety of military personnel operating in the disputed region of Essequibo. The GDF and Venezuelan military are continuing their search and rescue operation, and authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Search and Rescue Operations
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) immediately launched a search and rescue operation after a Bell 412 Helicopter with seven military personnel and one civilian went missing on December 6, 2023. The helicopter was flying from Ekereku to Olive Creek in Essequibo County when it disappeared. The GDF collaborated with private sector aircraft operators to locate the missing helicopter [1].
Initial Response and Search Efforts
The GDF deployed a search and rescue team consisting of ground troops, aircraft, and drones to locate the missing helicopter. The search and rescue team conducted extensive searches of the area where the helicopter was last seen. The GDF also dispatched a team of divers to search the rivers and waterways in the region [2].
Challenges Faced in the Search
The search and rescue operation faced several challenges due to the dense jungle terrain, poor visibility, and adverse weather conditions. The thick vegetation and rugged terrain made it difficult for the search and rescue team to navigate the area. The heavy rainfall and low cloud cover hampered the search efforts, as the helicopters could not fly at low altitudes [3].
International Assistance and Resources
The GDF received assistance from several international agencies and countries, including the United States, Brazil, and Venezuela. The United States provided satellite imagery and technical assistance to help locate the missing helicopter. Brazil and Venezuela also provided search and rescue teams and resources to aid in the search efforts [4].
The search and rescue operation is still ongoing, and the GDF is committed to finding the missing helicopter and its passengers.