Searched half the area but found nothing – Emergency Ministry on missing helicopter crew

Tengrinews.kz – Vice Minister for Emergency Situations Kegen Tursynbayev commented on the prolonged search for the crew of the military helicopter that went missing in the Almaty region.

What happened

On July 25, a military EC-145 helicopter disappeared from radar in the Almaty region. On July 26, its wreckage was found in the waters of Lake Sorbulak. Hundreds of people, dozens of units of equipment, UAVs, underwater drones, aircraft, and special equipment were involved in the search and rescue operation.

It was later reported that the search for the missing helicopter crew continues in the area of the Sorbulak reservoir.

Emergency Ministry's comment

On August 7, during a government briefing, Vice Minister for Emergency Situations Kegen Tursynbayev stated that search operations are still ongoing.

"We surveyed the designated area using helicopters and inspected the Sorbulak Reservoir. Satellite images from Kazcosmos showed traces resembling fuel and lubricant spills. Several fragments of the helicopter were found near the Sorbulak Reservoir," he said.

According to him, rescuers still need to examine approximately half of the reservoir's territory.

"We've covered about 50 percent of Sorbulak. All search operations are being conducted under the direction of the Ministry of Defense. We’ve provided our personnel and resources. At the moment, searches are being carried out from dawn to dusk. The depth of the water in Sorbulak ranges from 5 to 25 meters. The bottom is swampy. Even at a depth of one meter, nothing is visible—everything is covered in silt," the Emergency Ministry representative explained.

It’s worth noting that earlier, the relatives of the helicopter crew members recorded a video appeal asking the public and officials to pay attention to this tragedy.