Russia: At least 24 killed in Siberia helicopter crash

[News_Editor]

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 24 people were confirmed dead after a helicopter crash landed in eastern Russia, local authorities said Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Republic of Yakutia, located in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District in eastern Siberia, when a passenger helicopter crash landed at around 10:40 a.m. local time.

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry confirmed the death of 24 people, while four others survived the accident, according to RIA Novosti. The pilot of the aircraft was able to contact emergency teams, helping rescuers locate the crash site.

Authorities deployed around 400 people and nine aircraft to locate the ill-fated helicopter and carry out search-and-rescue operations. As a result, four people were discovered alive, including a 12-year-old boy who suffered from a spinal fracture, the ministry's spokesperson, Oleg Voronov, told the media out led.

Reports indicate that the MI-8 helicopter was operated by Polar Airlines, and emergency workers were traveling by foot in order to reach the crash site due to the rough terrain and harsh weather conditions.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but some media reports said difficult weather condition could have affected the aircraft.

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