President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Commander-in-Chief, declared Sunday, 10th December, a National Day of Prayer following an army helicopter crash in which five servicemen died.
The helicopter, with seven military personnel on board, crashed in the country’s jungle after taking off on Wednesday.
Two individuals survived.
The survivors and the deceased arrived at Ogle Airport on Friday.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Sergeant Jason Khan perished in the crash.
Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Colonel Andio Crawford survived.
President Ali urged all religious organizations nationwide to support the National Day of Prayer and Reflection following the tragedy.
Ali described the five deceased as heroic servicemen.
“May this Day of Prayer and Reflection serve as a balm of healing and compassion,” the Guyana President said in a statement on Friday.
He asserted that the deaths had shaken the nation at its core.
The Bell 412 helicopter that crashed was carrying the seven service members on a mission to visit troops on Guyana’s western border.
Inclement weather sometimes forced the postponement of search and rescue efforts.
The Guyana army has announced a full investigation into the helicopter crash.
