Wreckage of Missing Cambodian Military Helicopter Found

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The wreckage of a Cambodian military helicopter that went missing over two weeks ago has been located on a mountaintop in the Cardamom Mountains, according to reports from the government and state news agency. The Chinese-made Z-9 helicopter lost contact with air force headquarters during a training flight in adverse weather conditions on July 12. A search operation commenced the following day, leading to the discovery of the wreckage. Military recovery teams dispatched to the crash site confirmed the presence of one pilot's body inside the helicopter, while the body of the second pilot was found approximately 200 meters away. The Defense Ministry shared the news via a statement on its Facebook page, highlighting the challenges faced during the search due to the dense forest in the area. Images circulating on social media depict the helicopter wreckage, which appears to be broken into several pieces and partially obscured by foliage. However, the authenticity of these images has not been independently verified. The incident marks a tragic event for the Cambodian military, reminiscent of a similar crash in 2014 involving another Z-9 helicopter, which resulted in the deaths of two generals and two pilots. The Cambodian government is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, as the military seeks to understand the factors that led to this tragic loss of life.