Six tourists killed as helicopter crashes in flames after ‘hitting overhead cables while trying to land’ in Siberia
SIX tourists have been killed as a helicopter “hit overhead cables” and crashed in flames in Siberia.
The Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the Altai Republic after getting caught in the wires.
Local media has reported: “When approaching for landing in the village of Tyungur, Ust-Koksinsky district, the Mi-8 helicopter of Altai Avia hit electrical wires, fell and caught fire.”
There were reportedly 15 people on board the helicopter, three of which were pilots.
Following the crash, three passengers are thought to be in critical condition with eight other people left injured.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the crash of the helicopter, saying that firefighters are working at the scene of the emergency.
The deadly crash took place in eastern Russia near the border with Mongolia.
“There are 3 crew members and 12 passengers on board, information about their condition is being specified,” the Federal Air Transport Agency said.
Emergency services dashed to the scene and reported that the burnt helicopter had completely collapsed.
In horror footage, the chopper is engulfed in flames while black clouds of smoke billow into the sky.
The aircraft can been seen smashed into in pieces on the ground next to the cable line while emergency services assess the situation.