News

A Canadian who worked for an Ontario company that specializes in airborne geophysics was on board a plane that went missing Saturday in the Amazon jungles of Guyana, officials say.

U3O8 Corp., a Toronto-based uranium exploration company, has identified the missing Canadian as Patrick Murphy, an employee of Markham, Ont.-based Terraquest Ltd., which was under contract to U3O8.

No other details were immediately disclosed out of respect for the family.

The company says Mr. Murphy and two American geologists were on board the U.S.-registered, twin-engine Beechcraft King Air plane to conduct aerial surveys when it vanished.

“U3O8 Corp. contracted Terraquest Ltd., a specialist in airborne geophysics based in Markham, Ont., to conduct a geophysical survey in the interior of Guyana under the permission of the Guyana authorities,” the company said in a release.

“The pilot and first officer are American citizens with Dynamic Aviation, and the third person is an airborne geophysical operator with Terraquest from Canada.”

The plane was flying over rugged terrain in western Guyana, near Venezuela, when it went missing.

“U3O8 Corp.'s board and management are deeply concerned about the missing crew and our thoughts and support are with the crew and their families during this uncertain time,” the release said.

Seven aircraft, including two helicopters from a British parachute regiment that was training in the area, are currently participating in the search.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority launched an extensive search and rescue operation at first light Sunday.

U3O8 also has two field teams in the survey area to provide ground support as required, the company said.