Debris from missing copter found

PETALING JAYA: Debris believed to be from the missing AS350 helicopter was found on Friday morning, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The debris comprised a rotor blade, a floatation device, part of a helicopter wall, a door and a seat.

Najib said the debris was found near Batang Lupar  at 9.50am Friday.

“The search and rescue operations will continue until they find the main body (of the helicopter).

The debris was found near the Batang Lupar river (red dot).

“I was informed that they were found near a river in Batang Lupar. The operations will be challenging as the river is considered wide,” he said.

The helicopter carrying six people, including Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon, her husband Asmuni Abdullah and four others, had left Betong at 4.12pm on Thursday and was headed to Kuching. Noriah is also Sungai Besar MP.

Others reported on board the helicopter were ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Kuala Kangsar MP and Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, Noriah’s bodyguard Ahmad Sobri and Capt Rudolf Rex Ragas.

Debris from the missing helicopter.