Three military men sacrificed in helicopter crash in Vung Tau

VUNGTAU - The helicopter that crashed in southern Vietnam during a training session on Tuesday has been located after more than 24 hours of searching, together with the bodies of the pilot and his 2 students.

The Ministry of National Defense and Ba Ria-Vung Tau authorities sent more than 400 people and 3 helicopters to seach and rescue in Dinh Mountain, Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The search and rescue mission was hindered by the local mountainous terrain and heavy rains.

Military officers, who join the search mission confirmed that they had found the helicopter and the bodies in a valley by Bao Quan Mountain in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province at around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Soldiers look for the helicopter that crashed in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. (Photo: VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan)
Soldiers look for the helicopter that crashed in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. (Photo: VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan)

Reportedly, the bodies will be transported to the Military Hospital 175 in HCM City to carry out the process of identification. Three soldiers include Captain Duong Le Minh (pilot) and 2 pilot trainees, Lieutenants Dang Dinh DUy and Nguyen van Tung sacrificed in the crash.

“Their bodies were intact. The aircraft was badly broken,” an officer said to VnExpress.

They were flying an EC130 of Vietnam Helicopter Corporation on a training session when the helicopter crashed at around 8:30 a.m, October 18, about 15mins after takeoff.

Three helicopters were sent for seaching. (Photo: VnExpress)
Three helicopters were sent for seaching. (Photo: VnExpress)

The Eurocopter EC130 is a single engine light helicopter originally launched and produced by the Eurocopter Group, now Airbus Helicopters.

The EC130 can carry up to 7 passengers, thanks to the features of large windows, spacious cabin, quietness and high-tech comfort, EC130 has been utilized worldwide for tourism like the US and Europe.

The model has various safety features, including flight data recorders and crash-worthy seats.

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