ALTAI: At least six people were killed and seven others are reportedly injured when a Russian helicopter crashed in Russia’s Altai Republic, southern Siberia, on Thursday, Russian emergency officials reported.
The ill-fated incident involved a Mi-8 helicopter, which caught fire during its landing and accidentally made contact with a power line, as reported by the Altai branch of Russia’s emergency ministry. A poignant image of the chopper’s wreckage ablaze was shared online alongside the ministry’s statement. The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation, and authorities are working to ascertain the exact cause.
Initial information revealed that the private Mi-8 helicopter was carrying 13 individuals at the time of the accident. However, discrepancies arose as Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, citing the country’s civilian aviation regulator Rosaviatsia, reported a total of 15 individuals on board, comprising 12 passengers and three crew members.
The helicopter was Transporting Tourists
According to RIA Novosti, the helicopter was chartered by a private company to transport a group of tourists. The Mi-8 model, a two-engine helicopter with roots dating back to the 1960s, has seen widespread use not only in Russia but also in neighboring countries and various nations around the world. Regrettably, such accidents have been witnessed before, making helicopter safety a paramount concern for the aviation industry.
As authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the tragic incident, the focus now remains on the families of the victims who lost their lives and those who have been injured. The impact of the crash is felt deeply, both within the local community and across the country, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this unfortunate aviation tragedy.
