Tragic morning before Ramadhan
A nation in mourning
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Minister of Defence (second from right), with His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah (right), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, who is also the General of the RBAF, paid their last respects to one of the crash victims in Jerudong yesterday. Picture: Infofoto
Sunday, July 22, 2012
-2 more bodies found taking death toll from chopper accident to 12
TWELVE military personnel were killed in the tragic helicopter accident on Friday afternoon at Ulu Belait, according to official counts provided by the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) following the discovery of the remaining two soldiers announced yesterday.
The bodies, identified as a Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) male officer and female cadet officer, were reportedly found at an undisclosed site early yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, the two surviving officer cadets are currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, said RIPAS Hospital Deputy CEO Hjh Saidah Hj Wahid.
In a message conveyed to The Brunei Times yesterday, Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Sharing the same sentiments echoed by the grieving nation, he said that he was "very saddened" by the tragedy.
A total of 14 military personnel were onboard the RBAirF Bell 212 helicopter that crashed at Ulu Belait on the eve of the Ramadhan fasting month.
Among those involved in the tragedy were nine officer cadets from the latest batch of trainees at the Officer Cadet School (OCS) in Sg Akar, two crew men and three RBAirF officers, including a pilot.
MinDef stated that the helicopter was transporting the personnel back to Bandar Seri Begawan after a training session.
Inducted in April, the latest batch of officer cadets were barely into their 42-week training when the fatal helicopter accident occured.
So far, there has been no information from MinDef regarding the cause of the accident or the extent of damage to the helicopter.
The names of the 14 military personnel involved have also been withheld by MinDef out of respect to the family members of the victims.
The tragedy prompted swift action from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Minister of Defence, who visited the survivors and commanded the urgent search for the missing persons.
Accompanied by His Royal Highness Second Lieutenant Prince 'Abdul Mateen, the Monarch also consented to pay his last respects to the victims at the Royal Brunei Air Base on Friday.
In April, MinDef confirmed that an RBAirF Bell 212 helicopter was involved in an accident in the vicinity of Bukit Belalong, in Temburong, while peforming a routine task. The pilot and crew member escaped unhurt, while another sustained minor injuries.
Findings of the helicopter incident in April have not been made public. The pilot, when asked for further details, declined to comment.
The Bell 212 helicopter is a two-bladed, twin-engined military transport built by Bell Helicopter, an American rotorcraft manufacturer. The RBAirF is currently equipped with 10 of the Bell 212 helicopters.
TWELVE military personnel were killed in the tragic helicopter accident on Friday afternoon at Ulu Belait, according to official counts provided by the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) following the discovery of the remaining two soldiers announced yesterday.
The bodies, identified as a Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) male officer and female cadet officer, were reportedly found at an undisclosed site early yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, the two surviving officer cadets are currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, said RIPAS Hospital Deputy CEO Hjh Saidah Hj Wahid.
In a message conveyed to The Brunei Times yesterday, Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Sharing the same sentiments echoed by the grieving nation, he said that he was "very saddened" by the tragedy.
A total of 14 military personnel were onboard the RBAirF Bell 212 helicopter that crashed at Ulu Belait on the eve of the Ramadhan fasting month.
Among those involved in the tragedy were nine officer cadets from the latest batch of trainees at the Officer Cadet School (OCS) in Sg Akar, two crew men and three RBAirF officers, including a pilot.
MinDef stated that the helicopter was transporting the personnel back to Bandar Seri Begawan after a training session.
Inducted in April, the latest batch of officer cadets were barely into their 42-week training when the fatal helicopter accident occured.
So far, there has been no information from MinDef regarding the cause of the accident or the extent of damage to the helicopter.
The names of the 14 military personnel involved have also been withheld by MinDef out of respect to the family members of the victims.
The tragedy prompted swift action from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Minister of Defence, who visited the survivors and commanded the urgent search for the missing persons.
Accompanied by His Royal Highness Second Lieutenant Prince 'Abdul Mateen, the Monarch also consented to pay his last respects to the victims at the Royal Brunei Air Base on Friday.
In April, MinDef confirmed that an RBAirF Bell 212 helicopter was involved in an accident in the vicinity of Bukit Belalong, in Temburong, while peforming a routine task. The pilot and crew member escaped unhurt, while another sustained minor injuries.
Findings of the helicopter incident in April have not been made public. The pilot, when asked for further details, declined to comment.
The Bell 212 helicopter is a two-bladed, twin-engined military transport built by Bell Helicopter, an American rotorcraft manufacturer. The RBAirF is currently equipped with 10 of the Bell 212 helicopters.
In November 2011, MinDef announced that a deal was secured with Sikorsky for the supply of 12 Blackhawk S-70i helicopters to replace the three-decade-old fleet of Bell 212s and BO105s that are nearing the end of their operational lives.
The deal with Sikorsky, also known as the Support Helicopter Project (SH Project), was in line with the need to replace and enhance the RBAirF's rotary wing capacity as identified in the Defence White Paper Update 2007.
Innalilahiwainnahirrojiunn..Al-Fatihah to all victims and deep condolences to all families. Berat mata memandang berat lagi bahu memikul. My friend, Md. Khairuddin bin Hj Abas husband of Hjh.Norain,was one of the victims as well. Semoga Allah menempatkanmu digolongan orang-orang beriman & semoga keluarga mereka dalam lindungan Allah jua..Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin! More news below.
10 killed in RBAirF chopper accident
Saturday, July 21, 2012
TEN out of 14 military personnel were reported to have been killed in a tragic helicopter accident in the Belait area that occurred a day before the start of the Ramadhan fasting month.
The accident prompted the attention of His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Minister of Defence.
Following the accident, His Majesty went personally to oversee the shifting of the victims by air to the Royal Brunei Air Force Base from the crash site, where family members of those involved in the accident had gathered to receive news about their loved ones.
The Brunei Times was turned away from the air base.
Also present at the Royal Brunei Air Force Base was His Royal Highness, Second Lt Prince 'Abdul Mateen. His Majesty, later, at around 10.24pm, visited two of the survivours who had been brought to the Raja Isteri Pg Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital late yesterday evening.
The monarch had also met with the families of the victims at both the air base and the hospital.
Two more, as of press time, remain unaccounted for, according to a statement issued by the Office of His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at 12.18pm.
The Ministry of Defence reported that a Bell 212 Helicopter, carrying 14 passengers was involved in an accident in the Belait area yesterday afternoon.
"Fatalities and injuries were reported," stated the press statement from MinDef, noting that three crew of the helicopter and 11 officer cadets were involved.
MinDef stated that the military helicopter was carrying the officer cadets back to Bandar Seri Begawan after a training session.
It stated that the list of fatalities was yet to be confirmed. A list of supposed victims had been circulating in the social media, but MinDef representatives declined to comment on its authenticity. At 7pm, around the RIPAS Accident and Emergency (A & E) Department, medical staff were seen on standby and the Minister of Health, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Hj Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof as well as senior officials from Ministry of Health (MoH) and one official from Ministry of Defence (MinDef) were seen on site. Closer to 8pm, two visitors, one male and one female, arrived at the A&E (accident and emergency) and they were approached by an acquaintance. The woman fainted suddenly and medical officials immediately acted and rushed her to a restricted room for patients.
It is unclear if the incident was related.
Outside, passer-by's and visitors to the hospital were seen observing the scene and discussing with each other what was happening. Later, more people arrived and some were seen crying. About a few minutes before 8.30pm, the first ambulance carrying a victim arrived to the A&E and immediately rushed to the emergency.
Over time, more people arrived and started consoling each other as they waited outside for more updates while inside the A & E, it was restricted to family members and officials. Past 8.40pm, another ambulance carrying the second victim arrived, pushing medical officers into action.
Three military officers in their uniform were seen standing by the parked ambulance.
Deputy CEO of RIPAS; Dr Hjh Norehan bte Hj Johari, said that two of those involved in the incident were being treated at RIPAS, confirming that they were both stable. At the time, she said that one was in Ward 10 (general ward) and another in the operating theatre. She declined to comment further.
A family of one of the surviving victims, waiting patiently outside the X-Ray department at the hospital said that this was an upsetting incident, especially so close to the first day of Ramadhan.
They shared that they also felt for the families of the other victims, especially those who were uncertain of the fate of their loved ones.
Prayers for the deceased were held at the Surau of the Bolkiah Garrison. After the prayers, the bodies of the victims were carried away one by one by separate hearses and ambulances.
The accident prompted the attention of His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Minister of Defence.
Following the accident, His Majesty went personally to oversee the shifting of the victims by air to the Royal Brunei Air Force Base from the crash site, where family members of those involved in the accident had gathered to receive news about their loved ones.
The Brunei Times was turned away from the air base.
Also present at the Royal Brunei Air Force Base was His Royal Highness, Second Lt Prince 'Abdul Mateen. His Majesty, later, at around 10.24pm, visited two of the survivours who had been brought to the Raja Isteri Pg Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital late yesterday evening.
The monarch had also met with the families of the victims at both the air base and the hospital.
Two more, as of press time, remain unaccounted for, according to a statement issued by the Office of His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at 12.18pm.
The Ministry of Defence reported that a Bell 212 Helicopter, carrying 14 passengers was involved in an accident in the Belait area yesterday afternoon.
"Fatalities and injuries were reported," stated the press statement from MinDef, noting that three crew of the helicopter and 11 officer cadets were involved.
MinDef stated that the military helicopter was carrying the officer cadets back to Bandar Seri Begawan after a training session.
It stated that the list of fatalities was yet to be confirmed. A list of supposed victims had been circulating in the social media, but MinDef representatives declined to comment on its authenticity. At 7pm, around the RIPAS Accident and Emergency (A & E) Department, medical staff were seen on standby and the Minister of Health, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Hj Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof as well as senior officials from Ministry of Health (MoH) and one official from Ministry of Defence (MinDef) were seen on site. Closer to 8pm, two visitors, one male and one female, arrived at the A&E (accident and emergency) and they were approached by an acquaintance. The woman fainted suddenly and medical officials immediately acted and rushed her to a restricted room for patients.
It is unclear if the incident was related.
Outside, passer-by's and visitors to the hospital were seen observing the scene and discussing with each other what was happening. Later, more people arrived and some were seen crying. About a few minutes before 8.30pm, the first ambulance carrying a victim arrived to the A&E and immediately rushed to the emergency.
Over time, more people arrived and started consoling each other as they waited outside for more updates while inside the A & E, it was restricted to family members and officials. Past 8.40pm, another ambulance carrying the second victim arrived, pushing medical officers into action.
Three military officers in their uniform were seen standing by the parked ambulance.
Deputy CEO of RIPAS; Dr Hjh Norehan bte Hj Johari, said that two of those involved in the incident were being treated at RIPAS, confirming that they were both stable. At the time, she said that one was in Ward 10 (general ward) and another in the operating theatre. She declined to comment further.
A family of one of the surviving victims, waiting patiently outside the X-Ray department at the hospital said that this was an upsetting incident, especially so close to the first day of Ramadhan.
They shared that they also felt for the families of the other victims, especially those who were uncertain of the fate of their loved ones.
Prayers for the deceased were held at the Surau of the Bolkiah Garrison. After the prayers, the bodies of the victims were carried away one by one by separate hearses and ambulances.
US embassy condolences
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
IN VIEW of the national tragedy, The Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam expresses deepest condolences to the family members and friends of the 12 Royal Brunei Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash on Friday July 20, 2012.
The US Embassy, in a notice issued yesterday, stated: "We send our sincere wishes for a swift and full recovery to the two injured soldiers."
Ambassador Daniel Shields conveys his heartfelt sympathies and would like to offer a message for families and friends of the departed: "On behalf of citizens of the United States, our hearts go out to all who are suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy. May the peace which comes from the memories of the love that was shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. And may the comfort of God lend you strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
The US Embassy, in a notice issued yesterday, stated: "We send our sincere wishes for a swift and full recovery to the two injured soldiers."
Ambassador Daniel Shields conveys his heartfelt sympathies and would like to offer a message for families and friends of the departed: "On behalf of citizens of the United States, our hearts go out to all who are suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy. May the peace which comes from the memories of the love that was shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. And may the comfort of God lend you strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
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