GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday said that it has initiated a search and rescue operation to locate a missing helicopter carrying three crew members and four passengers.

Media reports said that the helicopter had gone missing in the Essequibo county region, and it was being piloted by veteran army pilot, Mike Charles.

In a brief statement, the GDF said that the operation was “impacted by adverse weather conditions” and that the Bell 412 Helicopter (8R-AYA) had departed Base Camp Ayanganna at 09:23 am.

“The aircraft transmitted an Emergency Locator Transmitter signal at 11:20 hours, from coordinates approximately 30 miles east of Arau on our western borders. Further information will be provided as soon as they are made available,” the statement said.

The helicopter is reported to have been shuttling from Ekereku to Olive Creek in Essequibo County. A search and rescue team aboard a SkyVan has been deployed to the area.

Venezuela has been claiming the Essequibo county and on Tuesday, President Nicolas Maduro announced that a bill would be sent to the National Assembly for the creation of a “Guyana Esequiba” province in a region Guyana has administered for over a century.

Maduro gave an ultimatum to oil companies working under concessions given by Guyana to withdraw their operations within three months.