Hunt for Mongolia crash survivors

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6762575.stm

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Mongolian authorities are trying to rescue survivors from a helicopter crash that occurred last Wednesday.

Eight passengers are said to have survived and 14 to have died when the Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter crashed in a mountain in northern Mongolia.

The authorities confirmed the crash on Monday, and said the mountainous location had impaired rescue work.

The aircraft was on its way to fight a forest fire, Emergency Minister S Otgonbayar is quoted as saying.

He told the AP news agency the wreckage from the crash was only located on Saturday in Selenge province.

Mr Otgonbayar said metal-cutting equipment may be needed to free some of the survivors.

According to AP, relatives of the crash victims complained to reporters that the authorities had taken too long to locate the helicopter, having initially said the craft had landed safely after running out of fuel.