Azeri Military Helicopter Crashes in Caspian Sea

Feb. 11, 2013

BAKU, Azerbaijan — An Azeri air force helicopter crashed into the Caspian Sea on Monday, killing all three people aboard, officials said.

The Azeri Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter, which it said belonged to the army's medical service, disappeared from radar view around 10:30 a.m.

News agency APA said the helicopter was traveling from the capital, Baku, to the central town of Kyurdamir to pick up sick soldiers.

Emergency officials said the helicopter came down 300 meters from the shore off the village of Shikh, which lies south of Baku. One body has so far been recovered, emergency workers said.

Ships, boats and helicopters have been dispatched in a search operation. No official explanation for the crash has been provided.

(AP)

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