Five die in helicopter crash in Russian Far East; bodies found after two day search

A criminal case into possible negligence was opened after the Mi-8 crashed in a mountainous area of Khabarovsk region. The remains of four crew and one passenger were discovered in the burned-out wreckage of  the helicopter. 

The helicopter had taken off from the village of Tugur on the Sea of Okhotsk and was flying to the remote inland village of Briakan when it crashed on Thursday.

On board were three tonnes of food intended for Briakan.

'Investigators and criminologists are on their way to the site', said a spokesman for the Investigative Committee.

DNA tests will be carried out to identify the charred bodies, it is understood. 

A search was underway for two days after radio contact was lost with the helicopter.