This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/8235115.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
India minister 'killed' in crash | India minister 'killed' in crash |
(20 minutes later) | |
A powerful Indian politician has been killed along with four others in a helicopter crash in southern India, media reports say. | A powerful Indian politician has been killed along with four others in a helicopter crash in southern India, media reports say. |
The wreckage of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's helicopter was found on a hill a day after it disappeared. | The wreckage of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's helicopter was found on a hill a day after it disappeared. |
This followed a massive search operation involving 11 aircraft and over 2,000 security personnel. | This followed a massive search operation involving 11 aircraft and over 2,000 security personnel. |
Mr Reddy, 60, was an influential politician from the Congress party. | Mr Reddy, 60, was an influential politician from the Congress party. |
He had been elected for a second term in the general elections this year. | He had been elected for a second term in the general elections this year. |
Congress party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told a local television channel that Mr Reddy was a "dynamic leader" and his death was "tragic". | |
Television footage showed Mr Reddy's family and supporters crying after news emerged that there had been no survivors in the helicopter crash. | Television footage showed Mr Reddy's family and supporters crying after news emerged that there had been no survivors in the helicopter crash. |
Earlier on Thursday Mr Reddy's helicopter was found on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool. | Earlier on Thursday Mr Reddy's helicopter was found on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool. |
The discovery follows a massive search and rescue operation launched by the state government. | The discovery follows a massive search and rescue operation launched by the state government. |
Remote forest | Remote forest |
Some 2,000 members of the security forces, supported by 11 helicopters and planes, took part. | |
Rain reduced many areas to mud, making the search difficult. | Rain reduced many areas to mud, making the search difficult. |
The Bell helicopter carrying Mr Reddy and four others was on what should have been a two-hour flight from Hyderabad's Begumpet airport. | The Bell helicopter carrying Mr Reddy and four others was on what should have been a two-hour flight from Hyderabad's Begumpet airport. |
It took off at 0845 IST (0315 GMT) on Wednesday bound for the village of Anupally in Chittoor district. | It took off at 0845 IST (0315 GMT) on Wednesday bound for the village of Anupally in Chittoor district. |
The aircraft went missing over Kurnool district more than an hour before it was due to land. | The aircraft went missing over Kurnool district more than an hour before it was due to land. |
The remote Nallamalla forest area where it vanished is a stronghold of Maoist rebels in Andhra Pradesh state. | The remote Nallamalla forest area where it vanished is a stronghold of Maoist rebels in Andhra Pradesh state. |
But federal officials have ruled out the possibility that insurgents shot down the helicopter. | But federal officials have ruled out the possibility that insurgents shot down the helicopter. |
Andhra Pradesh is one of several Indian states with a significant Maoist rebel presence. | Andhra Pradesh is one of several Indian states with a significant Maoist rebel presence. |