Words alone cannot express the gratitude we owe to all the people of Dawei region who of their own volition have lent a helping hand to the search and rescue operations

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing cordially greets departmental personnel, social organization members and locals who participated in search and rescue operations for crashed plane Y-8 in Dawei.

Nay Pyi Taw June 17

The crash of the Tatmadaw transport plane Y-8 is the most terrible loss not only for the Air Force but also for the State. Words alone cannot express the gratitude we owe to all the people of Dawei region who of their own volition have lent a helping hand to the search and rescue operations, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in honouring the departments,social organizations and local people who have collectively taken part in the search and rescue operations of the crashed plane in the town hall in Dawei at 10.50 am Yesterday.

Also present were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla,wife of the Senior General, Chief Minister of Taninthayi Region Dr. Lei Lei Maw, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, officials, departmental personnel, members of the social organizations,townselders and local people.

In his speech, the Senior General said the plane crash is the worst loss not only for the Air Force, but also for the State. The plane lost from radar screen at 1.32 pm on 7 June.According to the latest radar images, at about 1.29 pm the plane was flying at an altitude of 18,000 feet. Within a minute, it was seen trying to ascend back after suddenly descended for a certain reason. But within another minute it again dived down and lost from the radar after a left-turn. According to the locals there was bad weather in the area.

Then, the Senior General heartily thanked all people from Dawei region for their conscientious participation in carrying out search and rescue operations for the crashed plane.As soon as they knew about the missing plane, departmental organizations, social organizations and local people including workers from local trawlers in Dawei, Myeik and Kawthoung regions participated in the search and rescue operations amidst the bad weather without prompting of anyone. Their endeavours refl ected their goodwill for the State as well as the Myanmar’s spirit of giving a helping hand to needy persons in any case.

Afterwards, the Senior General said that it was a flight of Tatmadaw’s chartered plane for transfer of Tatmadawmen and families as welfare task. The Tatmadaw’s chartered plane transports the people to Coco Island free of charge. Wellwishers donated more than Ks-1,700 million for the officers, other ranks and families who included in the crashed plane, showing sympathy of the people over the incident. The tail of the plane was found at about 5 pm on 15 June. It was found near the place where the image of plane disappeared on the radar. It was difficultly searched by Navy vessels of Tatmadaw (Navy) and many trawlers in the sea. The search and salvage operations still go on there for the crashed plane. The Senior General said that if the black box kept in the back of plane can be salvaged, a result will be shown,and the true result will be released.

He expressed thanks to the people of Dawei for joining the search and rescue operations with manpower and material assistance. Their sprit to help others is priceless and there must be cooperation between leaders and followers in regional development efforts. He then called for continued efforts for regional and national development.

Later, the Senior General presented cash awards which the minister for security and border affairs of the regional government accepted.He also presented honorary gifts and cash awards to the workers of the fishing vessel that found the plane debris.

Then, the Senior General and party cordially greeted those present.

#Themyawadydaily