As Paralel.az reports, a helicopter with tourists crashed in the Kronotsky reserve.
The helicopter crashed into a lake in the far east of Russia, on a deep volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula, and rescuers are looking for up to eight missing people. Authorities say they are looking for survivors at Lake Kuril, where the volcano is located.
According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, there were 13 tourists and 3 crew members on board the Mi-8 helicopter, eight of whom survived. Two people were seriously injured.
However, Interfax, citing officials, said the helicopter, which had three crew members and 14 tourists, crashed due to heavy fog. Interfax initially quoted regional officials as saying that nine people, including two pilots, survived, but later reported that only eight people survived.
Although the numbers vary, the news does not indicate the nationality of the tourists, most of whom are from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The district prosecutor's office is investigating whether flight safety rules have been violated.
The helicopter is reportedly located at a depth of 316 meters, about 100 meters in the Kuril Lake, which covers an area of ​​77 square kilometers.
The Soviet helicopter, which belonged 37 years ago, belonged to the local Vityaz-Aero. The director of the company said that the helicopter has recently passed an inspection and is in good condition.
Kamchatka, home to many volcanoes, is renowned for its beauty and abundant wildlife. Kronotsky Nature Reserve, the only pool with geysers in Russia, is the main tourist attraction in Kamchatka, and helicopters are regularly brought here.
Rapid weather conditions make flying dangerous. Last month, an An-26 passenger plane crashed in Kamchatka due to bad weather on its way to the airport, killing all 28 people on board.