Fourteen Confirmed Dead in Myanmar's Air CrashA total of 14 people has been confirmed dead in February 19 Myanmar helicopter crash by Friday's official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar.The 14 included Lieutenant-General Tin Oo, 67, Second Secretary of the ruling Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations and Chief of Staff of the Army, Brigadier-General Lun Maung, 65, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Major-General Sit Maung, 53, Chairman of the Mon SPDC and Southeastern Commander. It has also been confirmed so far that 13 people have been rescued with 2 still missing and fearing dead. Of a total of 29 on board the former Soviet-made military helicopter MI-7 which accommodates 26 only, 22 were government officials and seven were crew members. The helicopter, which carried Tin Oo and entourage on an inspection tour of a new bridge,was heading for Hpa-an in eastern Kayin state from Mawlamyine in southern Mon state and crashed into the Thanlwin River near Hpa-an. Government report said that the accident was due to bad weather condition. |
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