20 killed in Naftogaz chopper crash
Staff & news wires
Photo by NTV
A Russian-built Mi-8 helicopter crashed into the Tavrida jack-up rig this
morning, killing all 20 people on board.
The Tavrida, whuich belongs state-owned Chernomorneftegaz, is believed to have
been drilling at the Odessa gas condensate field, in the Black Sea.
The crash occurred at around 0600 GMT when the tail of a Mi-8 helicopter tail
hit the jack-up.
"The helicopter crashed on a (rig) and exploded," Naftogaz spokesman
Valentin Zemlyansky told AFP.
He told the news agency that there was one survivor.
However, Moscow-based television news channel Vesti later reported that the
survivor, an offshore worker, had died. naftogaz later confirmed the report.
No one on the Tavrida was hurt in the crash.
"An Mi-8 helicopter with 20 people on board clipped the Tavrida with its
tail rotor," Naftogaz spokesman Ilya Savin told Reuters.
Ukraine's Transport & Communications Minister Yosip Vinsky said the cause
of the accident was still being investigated, adding: "Judging by the
logic of the initial information, most likely there was a human factor."
Local news reports said the he helicopter belonged to Naftogaz and was taking
workers to the jack-up.
A special ministerial commission has been set up to investigate the cause of
the crash.
The Mi-8, produced at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, is a medium
twin-turbine transport helicopter. It can carry 24 passengers.
28 April 2008 10:58 GMT
| last updated:
28 April 2008 14:29 GMT
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