Search for Missing Military Helicopter: Search and Rescue Operation Ongoing at Sorbulaq Reservoir

A large-scale search and rescue effort is underway at the Sorbulaq reservoir, with teams scouring both the water and shoreline — including deep and hard-to-reach areas — day and night, Orda.kz reports.

According to the Ministry of Defense, nearly 400 personnel have been deployed for the operation, along with more than 70 ground vehicles, 21 watercraft, 10 drones, sonar devices, underwater scanning equipment, and canine units.

The search is complicated by multiple factors: the reservoir reaches depths of up to 22 meters, has a muddy bottom, dense aquatic vegetation, and near-zero underwater visibility.

Relatives of the missing are receiving regular updates.

The incident occurred on July 25, when an EC-145 helicopter disappeared from radar in the Almaty region. Three crew members were on board.

Original Author: Natalia Ovchinnikova