WWF staff missing in Nepal
23 Sep 2006
Kathmandu, Nepal - A helicopter with a number of WWF staff on board has failed to arrive at its destination in Nepal, the global conservation organization said today.
The Shree Air helicopter had 20 passengers and four crew. The passengers were on their way back from a conservation site at Ghunsa, in the far eastern part of the country, some 500 km from the capital, Kathmandu.
Seven WWF staff are among the missing, three from WWF-Nepal, two from WWF-US and two from WWF-UK. Other passengers included government officials and representatives of other non-governmental organisations.
"We hope that all on board will be rescued safely," WWF International's Director General James Leape said today.
"Our thoughts are with our missing colleagues and their families and WWF is doing everything it can to help the government in its search for the helicopter."
A 120-member strong team consisting of Nepal Police, the Nepal Army and local people have left from Taplejung in search of the missing helicopter, according to Inspector Bhattarai of the Nepal Police in Kathmandu. Four helicopters will start the aerial search of the area at dawn on the 24th. There has been no communication with the helicopter since 12pm the afternoon of the 23rd.
Find out more
Jacqueline McArthur, Communications Manager Media, WWF-Australia
Mobile: 0408 626 780
Email: jmcarthur@wwf.org.au
