Severe air crash in Murmansk
At least 16 people are missing after a helicopter with 18 people on board crashed into a lake in the Murmansk region in northwest Russia.
Two were injured and are hospitalized, the others on board are considered as missing, according to a spokesperson for the police told AFP.
On board were several regional politicians and high-level officials and businessmen, among others, the Murmansk region's deputy governor and the region's environment minister, writes Interfax.
The helicopter, Mi-8, belongs to the company Apatite which produces ingredients for the fertilizer. Company president was also on board.
Authorities believe that bad weather and technical errors could have caused the accident. A criminal investigation has been initiated, as it is suspected that air safety rules may have been breached.
Aircraft accidents are relatively common in Russia and blamed often on old and poorly maintained aircraft.
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