Search continues for army chopper crash site in Laos

Grave fears are held for flight crew and other personnel as the sun sets on another day of search efforts to locate the wreckage of a Lao military helicopter following an accident Monday.

The helicopter is believed to have crashed in a remote area en route from the capital Vientiane to northern provinces of Xiengkhouang and Houaphanh early Monday afternoon, Lao News Agency KPL reported.

The aircraft with four crew members and 19 passengers on board reportedly lost communication with the Aviation Control Centre a short time after departing the capital Vientiane.

Access to the suspected site from the air has reportedly been hampered by weather-related poor flying conditions typical of the current wet season, with the search largely limited to on-ground efforts in the area known for its remote and rugged mountainous terrain.

The accident follows another on May 17, 2014 that saw a Lao military Antonov An-74 carrying crew and a delegation including senior officials crash in the country's north en route to Xiangkhouang Province, killing 16 on board. Endi