Guyanese Helicopter Goes Missing in Essequibo Region Near Venezuelan Border

The Guyanese Defense Ministry said it had lost contact with the Bell 412 helicopter in the area of the Arau village located in the disputed Essequibo region on the border with Venezuela, and that a search and rescue operation was underway.

"The helicopter departed Base Camp Ayanganna at 09:23 hours [13:23 GMT] today for Arau, carrying three (3) crew members and four (4) passengers … The Guyana Defence Force, in collaboration with private sector aircraft operators, has initiated a Search and Rescue operation to locate a missing GDF Bell 412 Helicopter (8R-AYA)," the defense ministry said in a statement on social media on late Wednesday.