The Search and Rescue Team discovered a body of one of the passenger’s on board the helicopter that went missing over the Vanua Levu waters

Commander Fiji Navy, Captain Humphrey Tawake confirmed this saying deceased is from the four-seater white Robinson ‘R’44 helicopter, registration DQ- HPT.

Captain Tawake says they’ve found some debris that washed ashore between Korotasere and Vanuavou – around the coastal areas of Natewa bay.

“So in the last hour a body was found. Search continues in that area by police, RFMF personnel and other stakeholders that are in the area. That will continue till last light tonight and if it is required – we continue tomorrow. But that is the situation now. It is a search and recovery rather than a search and rescue.”

Several police boats are out in the waters off Natewa Bay in search of the helicopter and its missing occupants since late yesterday.

FBC News understands that an alert was raised with the Rescue Coordination Center at Walu Bay, Suva yesterday at about 6.43pm.

The helicopter was conducting a medical evacuation involving a 2-year-old child when it went off the radar.

The child was accompanied by the mother.

They were heading for the Labasa Hospital from Naitauba Island in Northern Lau.

The helicopter was last located off the waters near Korotasere.