Pursat: General Ith Sarath, Chairman of the Helicopter Search and Rescue Command, confirmed on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, that the body of the second pilot, Mr. Sun Phalla, was discovered at 10:30 AM. The search force, acting on the directives of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Commander-in-Chief, has been actively and diligently engaged in this mission.

General Sarath reported that Mr. Phalla's body was found approximately 210 meters from the crash site. "We conclude that when he crashed, he was still alive," Sarath stated. "It appears he survived the initial impact and, based on our findings, he spent 18 days attempting to find a way out or respond to the calls for help from our search planes."

General Sarath explained that the last 18 days were likely extremely challenging for Mr. Phalla, given the continuous rain and lack of food in the forest. However, the exact cause of Mr. Phalla's death remains uncertain, whether due to starvation, injuries from the crash, or other factors. General Sarath extended his deepest condolences for the loss of both pilots.

On behalf of all officers and soldiers involved in the search operation, General Sarath expressed profound gratitude to CRC President for her support and concern for the search efforts, particularly the well-being of the pilots. He acknowledged the critical financial support that funded the search and rescue operations. General Sarath was deeply moved by the attention and concern shown by Senate President and his wife, the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister, who prioritized the well-being of the missing crew members during the search efforts.

"The concern shown by our top leaders for the lives of our soldiers and the people greatly motivated and touched me," Sarath stated. "I am extremely grateful for their support and compassion."