The crash of a Mi-8 helicopter in western Siberia's Krasnoyarsk region has resulted in 10 fatalities and 15 people in intensive care, Russian media reported Thursday.
Passengers alerted emergency services after the helicopter crashed, and the search and rescue operation found the aircraft on its side on the bank of the frozen Yenisei River, 2 kilometers away from its departure point, the TASS news agency reported.
“There were 22 passengers on board, presumably shift workers, and three crew members,” regional spokeswoman for the Ministry of Emergency Situations Elena Yasterbkova said, the Interfax news agency reported.
All crash victims were brought to the intensive care unit of nearby Igarka hospital where 10 people have been confirmed dead, spokeswoman for the regional transport prosecutor's office Oksana Gorbunova said, Interfax reported.
An investigation has been opened into the cause of the crash and numerous explanations have been presented in the Russian media.
The helicopter was tested pre-flight and was not defective, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said. “All the helicopter mechanisms were in good condition. The weather conditions were also favorable, a ministry spokesman said, Interfax reported.
Regional authorities have declared Friday Nov. 27 a day of mourning to honor the victims.
