A search operation has been launched after a helicopter with four occupants went missing in the Kruger National Park.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the chopper disappeared on Monday, April 6, while assisting in an investigation following reports of a carcase discovered in the park.

“A pilot, two SAPS investigators and an environmental crime investigator were on board. A report indicates that the team departed at around 09:00 and did not return as anticipated,” said Mdhluli.

“Efforts to establish communication with the crew yielded no results, possibly due to poor signal as the helicopter may have been flying low. All attempts to reach them via mobile phones and other means were unsuccessful. It was only in the evening that it was realised something was wrong, prompting immediate action to locate them,” he said.

He added that another helicopter equipped with night-vision capabilities, along with drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search.

However, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn, while drones continued searching for the missing chopper throughout the night.