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Four die in Israel 'copter crash | Four die in Israel 'copter crash |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Four men have been killed in a civilian helicopter crash off the coast of Israel. | Four men have been killed in a civilian helicopter crash off the coast of Israel. |
The aircraft, which was believed to have been carrying tourists, crashed off Sironit Beach, close to the city of Netanya. | The aircraft, which was believed to have been carrying tourists, crashed off Sironit Beach, close to the city of Netanya. |
Police say four bodies, including those of the two pilots, have been recovered. A British passport was also found. | Police say four bodies, including those of the two pilots, have been recovered. A British passport was also found. |
Israeli police say it is not clear yet whether it was human or technical error which caused the helicopter to crash. | Israeli police say it is not clear yet whether it was human or technical error which caused the helicopter to crash. |
The victims' names have not been released. Their bodies are currently with Israeli medical examiners. | The victims' names have not been released. Their bodies are currently with Israeli medical examiners. |
BBC Middle East correspondent Katya Adler says the British embassy in Tel Aviv is currently investigating whether the man was a British national, and if so, whether he lived in Israel or abroad. Reports say he was in his 40s. | |
Witness Hertzel Sharoni said he and a friend sitting on the beach heard a strange noise coming out of the helicopter's propeller shortly before the crash. | |
They then saw the helicopter continue on for a few hundred metres before the rotor came off and the craft fall into the Mediterranean Sea. | |
Netanya Police Commander Amimchai Esed said the crash was most likely "a tragic accident". | |
Divers have brought wreckage from the helicopter back on to land and Israel's Civil Aviation Authority has taken over the investigation. | Divers have brought wreckage from the helicopter back on to land and Israel's Civil Aviation Authority has taken over the investigation. |
The seaside city of Netanya is 30km (18miles) north of Tel Aviv. | The seaside city of Netanya is 30km (18miles) north of Tel Aviv. |