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Russian chopper ‘with 8 on board’ down at sea – Norway rescue service Russian chopper ‘with 8 on board’ down at sea – Norway rescue service
(35 minutes later)
Russian helicopter has crashed into the sea off the Arctic island of Svalbard, Norway, according to the Norway rescue service. The helicopter had eight people on board, a statement says.Russian helicopter has crashed into the sea off the Arctic island of Svalbard, Norway, according to the Norway rescue service. The helicopter had eight people on board, a statement says.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon 2-3 kilometers off Barentsburg, the second-largest settlement on Svalbard Islands.The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon 2-3 kilometers off Barentsburg, the second-largest settlement on Svalbard Islands.
The helicopter, attributed as “Russian” and said to be carrying eight people, crashed into the sea, HRS Nord-Norge rescue service said on Twitter.
It was reported missing at 3:35pm local time and confirmed down at 3:45pm, the rescuers added. There was no information on casualties or helicopter model immediately available.It was reported missing at 3:35pm local time and confirmed down at 3:45pm, the rescuers added. There was no information on casualties or helicopter model immediately available.
It is also not clear which nationalities were on board.
The helicopter was reportedly a Mil Mi-8, but there has been no official confirmation yet.The helicopter was reportedly a Mil Mi-8, but there has been no official confirmation yet.
The helicopter belongs to the Russian airline Convers Avia, TASS cited the company, which confirmed the accident, as saying.
The chopper was carrying eight passengers, all with “Russian-sounding names,” Reuters reports, quoting the chief coordinator of the rescue operation, Tore Hongset. He stated there were three passengers and five crew members, while the Russian emergency services told TASS there was a crew of three people and five passengers who were miners from Arktikugol coal mining company, adding that their fate remains unknown.
Barentsburg is a small mining settlement on the Arctic Svalbard archipelago, with around 500 inhabitants, predominantly Russian. While the archipelago belongs to Norway, Norway and Russia equally engage in commercial activities on the islands under the 1920 Svalbard Treaty.Barentsburg is a small mining settlement on the Arctic Svalbard archipelago, with around 500 inhabitants, predominantly Russian. While the archipelago belongs to Norway, Norway and Russia equally engage in commercial activities on the islands under the 1920 Svalbard Treaty.