Russia's MI-8T helicopter crashes, 17 dead: 22 on board, including crew members, search continues

The missing Russian MI-8T helicopter crashed on Saturday. The helicopter was carrying 22 people including three crew members. So far the bodies of 17 people have been found. According to Russian media RT News, the helicopter crashed in the Kamchatka region. A Russian MI-8T helicopter went missing mid-flight. According to media reports, the helicopter flew to Nikolaevka, located 25 km from the site near the Vachkazets volcano in the Kamchatka region. It was carrying passengers to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Currently, police and health department teams have reached the spot and are engaged in search and rescue operations for the missing people. Another aircraft was sent to search for the helicopter. According to Indian time, the helicopter was supposed to return to the base at 9.30 am on Saturday, but did not return. Attempts were made to contact a crew member, but to no avail. After this another aircraft was sent to search for the helicopter. It was drizzling in the area where the helicopter went missing. There was also fog. After this the rescuers started searching for the helicopter. Accident 6,000 km from Moscow Kamchatka is located 6,000 km east of Moscow and about 2,000 km west of Alaska. This area is known for its beauty, so many tourists visit here. There are about 160 volcanoes and 29 of them are still active. More than 50 countries use this helicopter The MI-8T is the most widely used version of the Mil mi-8 helicopter. It was first designed in the 60s. It was first used in 1967 by the Russian Army. Its cost is 15 million dollars (125 crore rupees). The MI-8T is one of the most widely used helicopters in the world. Russia has built more than 17 thousand units of it. More than 50 countries including India, China, Iran use it. It is used in both civil and military. India first purchased the MI-8 helicopter from the Soviet Union (Russia) in 1971. Last year it was made part of the army. India purchased 107 helicopters between 1971 and 1988. However, it is now being phased out. The MI-8T has been involved in several accidents before. Earlier this month, an MI-8T helicopter carrying 16 people crashed in eastern Russia.

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