Yangon: A controversial tycoon thought to have close links with Myanmar's junta was stranded on Tuesday in the mountainous far north after his helicopter was forced to land in bad weather, officials said.
A rescue team has made contact with businessman Tay Za and the rest of the group on board, but has been unable to reach them in the northernmost state of Kachin more than 24 hours after they landed, an official said.
"About six people, including Tay Za and the pilots, have been at an ice mountain near Putao town since yesterday (Monday) morning," he told the media. "The rescue team made contact with them but they can't reach them because of bad weather."
Tay Za, who owns a string of luxury hotels and Myanmar airline Air Bagan, is a top target of US financial sanctions and described as 'a notorious regime henchman and arms dealer' by the US Treasury.
The official said the group were travelling on tourism-related business when their aircraft was forced to land. "Because of bad weather, they tried to land their helicopter at an ice mountain. But unfortunately they cannot fly back because of the soft land," he said. "We hope the rescue team will reach them in time."
The rescue helicopter managed to drop supplies to the stranded group, and another official said their condition was 'fine so far'.