Mi-8 Helicopter Crashed in Russia – 18 Victims

Photo from Ukrinform – UATV

Today, at 10.20 a.m. in the Russian Federation’s Krasnoyarsk region, close to the Vankor oil basin, an Mi-8 helicopter crashed, killing 18 people, three of whom were crew members and 15 of whom were shift workers of the Russian Vankor oil company.

There were two Mi-8 helicopter take-offs in the Siberian region. The first was carrying external suspended cargo and no passengers.

“After take-off, according to early reports, the Mi-8 carrying passengers knocked into the external cargo of the other helicopter, for reasons unknown. As a result, it fell, broke apart and caught fire,” a watchdog said, adding that weather conditions were normal.

While the first helicopter landed safely, the second crashed – far from inhabitant areas – and during the collision with the ground, both of its fuel tanks exploded.

The black boxes – flight recorders – of both helicopters were retrieved. According to media reports, a criminal investigation has been started.