Johannesburg: The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced that a helicopter, which went missing on Monday along with its four occupants, including the pilot, has been located successfully. All individuals have been found alive and unharmed.

According to South African Government News Agency, the group, which consisted of two SAPS investigators and an Environmental Crime Investigator, had landed safely in a remote area. Despite this, they encountered difficulty in locating the helicopter amidst the dense bush.

Following their rescue, it was confirmed that all the occupants are safe. The helicopter went missing during an investigation related to a report of a carcass found in the Kruger National Park, which prompted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding it, as stated by the police.

Reports indicate that the team departed around 09h00 on Monday morning and did not return as expected. Efforts to communicate with the helicopter crew were unsuccessful due to poor signal, with suspicions arising that the chopper may have been flying at a low altitude.

Attempts to reach the team via mobile phones and other communication means were futile. It was only later in the evening that authorities realized something was amiss, prompting immediate search efforts to locate them.

In response, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, along with drones, was deployed to assist in the search. However, poor weather conditions necessitated the withdrawal of the helicopter, but drone operations continued throughout the night, according to the police.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, noted the dedication of the team members who were performing their duties on a public holiday.