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Children die in air crash in Russia's Sakha Republic Children die in air crash in Russia's Sakha Republic
(about 5 hours later)
A transport helicopter has crashed into a hilltop in a polar region of Siberia with the loss of 19 lives, including children, the Russian authorities say. A transport helicopter has crashed into a hilltop in a polar region of Siberia with the loss of 21 lives, including children, Russian media report.
The Mi-8 helicopter came down, reportedly in strong winds, 66km (41 miles) from Deputatsky in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).The Mi-8 helicopter came down, reportedly in strong winds, 66km (41 miles) from Deputatsky in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).
Among the 28 people aboard were 11 children below the age of 12, three of them below the age of three.Among the 28 people aboard were 11 children below the age of 12, three of them below the age of three.
It was not immediately clear how many children were killed or injured. Rescuers are said to be approaching on foot, in hilly terrain and darkness.
Rescuers were dispatched to the scene in two other Mi-8 helicopters while an emergencies ministry jet was reportedly sent from the far eastern city of Khabarovsk carrying both rescuers and psychologists Details of the casualties were communicated by the helicopter's crew, Russia's Interfax news agency reports.
According to the service, the helicopter came down in remote, mountainous terrain, making access difficult.
The Interstate Aviation Committee in Moscow said it had opened an inquiry into the crash, which involved a helicopter flying with Polar Airlines, based in the city of Yakutsk.The Interstate Aviation Committee in Moscow said it had opened an inquiry into the crash, which involved a helicopter flying with Polar Airlines, based in the city of Yakutsk.
'Pressed down''Pressed down'
The crash occurred at around 10:40 (23:40 GMT Monday) as the helicopter was flying from Deputatsky to another village, Kazachye. Rescuers were dispatched on other Mi-8 helicopters in the region while an emergencies ministry jet was sent from the far eastern city of Khabarovsk carrying both rescuers and psychologists.
"The main theory at this time is difficult weather conditions," a regional police source told Russia's Interfax news agency. Darkness, continuing strong winds and the rugged terrain are hindering any approach to the crash site by air.
"The helicopter was literally pressed into the slope of the hill by strong, descending air currents." Rescuers were only able to land 15km from the crash site, regional news website NV Press said, adding that two rescue parties with off-road vehicles had set out.
Three crew members and 15 passengers were on board the helicopter, the Interstate Aviation Committee said. However, according to Interfax, rescuers were having to travel on foot.
The crash occurred at about 10:40 (23:40 GMT Monday) as the helicopter was flying from Deputatsky to another village, Kazachye.
"The main theory at this time is difficult weather conditions," a regional police source told Interfax. "The helicopter was literally pressed into the slope of the hill by strong, descending air currents."
Three crew members and 25 passengers were on board the helicopter, the Interstate Aviation Committee said.
A list of names of those aboard, published by NV Press, suggests that several family groups are among them. They reportedly include two regional dignitaries.
Helicopters are frequently used for transport between towns and villages in remote parts of Siberia.Helicopters are frequently used for transport between towns and villages in remote parts of Siberia.