At least 19 people were killed when a Mi-8 helicopter crash-landed at the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia, Russia, on Friday, Russian Emergencies Ministry said.
There were 22 people on board. Three people were found alive and were rushed to a hospital, where the condition of one of the injured passengers is critical.
The first survivor was immediately evacuated from the area via a helicopter and was hospitalised in a critical condition, Vadim Grebennikov, the spokesman of the Emergencies Ministry's Urals regional centre, told TASS.
A search operation is currently underway to find more survivors, although it is too early to report the death toll. However, according to AFP reports, 19 people have been killed in the crash.
Local media reported that the helicopter were severely damaged when it crashed on its side, though it not explode. The rescue teams have procured two black boxes from the site of the crash. The reason for the accident is believed to be poor visibility.
Reports state that a person, who was trapped in the rubble, tried to contact rescuers through a cell phone.
Soon after the call, two rescue helicopters with paramedics and emergency workers were sent to the crash site. A total number of 140 people were involved in the rescue and search operation of the victims.
