Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan, killing at least 15
MOSCOW. July 20. KAZINFORM A civilian helicopter owned by a Russian company crashed on take off at a NATO air base in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, killing 15 people, the Russian Aviation Agency said, Kazinform cites Xinhuanet.
"A Mi-8 helicopter owned by the Vertical-T air company crashed during takeoff from the Kandahar air field in Afghanistan. There were 17 passengers and three crew members on board. Fifteen passengers have died," the agency said.
NATO put the number of fatalities at 16, and said five others were wounded. The alliance said the crash, which caused the helicopter to burst into flames, was not caused by militant fire.
The Aviation Agency said the crew and the two surviving passengers are being treated in hospital. The nationalities of the victims have not been announced, Kazinform refers to Xinhuanet.
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