PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet says the search for the  missing military helicopter and those aboard will continue until they are found as rescue efforts entered their 12th day.

The helicopter disappeared over the densely forested Cardamon Mountain range in Pursat and Koh Kong provinces in bad weather. A pilot and a captain were on board when it lost contact with Air Force headquarters during a routine training flight on July 12.

Prime Minister Hun Manet said on July 23 that there had not been a second when the pilots were forgotten. The search had begun shortly after the aircraft went missing.

“So far our search forces have continued their mission day and night, whether it is rain or not, whether in the deep forest or across the ravine,” he said in post on Facebook. 

“No matter how difficult or time consuming it is, this search mission must continue until we can find both of our pilots.”

The search for the missing Z-9 flight involved about 1,000 troops under the direct command of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Eth Sarath.

The PM commended all the forces taking part in this difficult operation while thanking the public for their concern and encouragement.