Russian emergency helicopter with 3 people on board crashes during training flight

ISTANBUL

An Mi-8 helicopter with three crew members on board crashed in the northern Russian Republic of Karelia during a training flight, local officials said on Monday.

Writing on Telegram, Artur Parfenchikov, the head of Karelia, said that an MI-8 helicopter belonging to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry did not arrive at its destination while conducting a training flight in the region.

Its crash site has been found in Lake Onega, Europe's second-largest lake, Parfenchikov said, adding that a group of rescuers has immediately been dispatched to search for those on board the helicopter.

The crew and employees of St. Petersburg's aviation center have not been found, he added.

He said the depth at the crash site is about 50 meters and specialist divers are getting ready for rescue operation.

Parfenchikov has directed the local government to provide all assistance in carrying out the operation.