Helicopter crash horror in Krasnoyarsk region, 'at least 10 dead'

Passengers alerted the emergency services to the Mi-8 crash saying that the crew of three were among the dead. Latest reports said 10 had perished, with 15  injured. The Mi-8 was on its side some 10 kilometres from Igarka airport, 1,341 km north of regional capital Krasnoyarsk city, 163 km above the Arctic Circle.

Spokesperson for Emergency Ministry in Krasnoyarsk region,Yelena Yasterbkova, said: 'At 11:45 local time, it was reported that the contact was lost with the Mi-8  helicopter belonging to airline Turukhan. 

'There were 22 passengers on board, presumably shift workers, and 3 crew members.' The passengers were oil workers of Vankorneft,  heading to the oil pumping station, it was reported. The reason for the crash was unclear.

Reports said the Mi-8 had crashed onto the frozen Yenisei River 'and is lying on the ice'. 'People are being evacuated,' said a police source.

The injured were being taken to Igarka by snowmobile. Two Mi-8 helicopters are heading to the scene with rescuers and doctors onboard.

Yeniseysk transport prosecutors have launched an investigation into the accident, said an official.

'The helicopter of the Turukhan air company with rotation workers onboard crashed after takeoff some 10 kilometres from the town of Igarka. According to preliminary data, seven passengers and three crew members were killed,' said Oksana Gorbunova, an aide to the local transport prosecutor.