Helicopter Crash In Russia's Far East Kills 5

KHABAROVSK, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- Rescue workers in Russia's Far East on Saturday found the wreckage of a transport helicopter that went missing in the region earlier this week, emergency officials said on Sunday. None of the five people on board the aircraft survived the crash.

The Mi-8 medium twin-turbine transport helicopter went missing on Thursday during a flight from Tugur to Briakan, both located in Khabarovsk Krai. The aircraft, which belonged to Russia's Voluntary Association of Assistance to the Army, Air Force and Navy (DOSAAF), was carrying four crew members, one passenger, and about three tonnes of fish.

A spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said the burnt wreckage was discovered at approximately 12 p.m. local time on Saturday in a wooded area about 37 kilometers (23 miles) northwest of the village of Polina Osipenko. A search-and-rescue team arrived at the scene about 2 hours later.

"The wreckage of the Mi-8 helicopter and five charred bodies inside of it was found near the village of Polina Osipenko," a spokesperson for Russia's Investigative Committee said, adding that a criminal investigation had been launched to determine whether safety and training rules were violated. "Forensic investigators of the Investigative Committee have been sent to the scene."

The bodies of the victims were transported on Sunday to a mortuary in the city of Khabarovsk.

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)