VIENTIANE, Laos, July 29 (UPI) -- A military helicopter in Laos carrying 23 people has been missing for days, fueling speculation that the aircraft crashed soon after take-off.
The MI-17 helicopter, carrying 19 passengers and four crew members, was declared missing on Monday after lost contact with air traffic control in the capital city of Vientiane shortly after departing Wattay International Airport en route to the northern Houaphan province.
"We cannot confirm whether the aircraft has crashed or had to execute an emergency landing, because we have no proof at this time," a Laos Air Force official told Radio Free Asia. "Higher level commanders will not allow us to confirm anything."
State media has not reported on the missing military helicopter and the identities of those aboard were not immediately known.
