Military helicopter crashes in sea near Baku, three died (UPDATE)
A military helicopter Mi-17 crashed in the Caspian Sea near Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, on Monday, killing three servicemen on board.
The military helicopter belongs to Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, the Defence Ministry said.
According to the ministry's report, as a result of rescue works, one of those who were on board was found dead. At present, rescue works are underway for two others.
The ministry said that Captain Yashar Ahmadov, Senior Lieutenant Rustam Rustamov and Lieutenant Bahruz Zeynalov were on board of the helicopter. Dead body of Rustam Rustamov has been already pulled out of water.
A helicopter disappeared from radar screens on Monday at 10.30 and crashed near the beach in the Shikhov settlement, the ministry said.
According to the preliminary data, the crash was due to poor visibility caused by dense fog. The helicopter fell into the sea at a distance of 300 meters from the shore. Four ships are involved in the rescue operation. According to witnesses, an explosion was heard when the helicopter crashed. Two helicopters of the Emergency Situations Ministry and one military helicopter are conducting rescue work.
Information that the crashed helicopter was a civil one is not confirmed by any of the operators (SOCAR, SW Helicopter Services) of civil helicopters in Azerbaijan. BP company does not use helicopters to transport personnel, as they are delivered to the platform by ships.
Four ambulances are sent to the scene.
Modernization of the Mi-8 helicopter, which ended in 1980, led to the creation of an improved version - Mi-8MT (designation Mi-17 is for export). The Mi-17 was fitted with 2 TV3-117 engines. Number of crew members on board of these helicopters is three people, while passengers - 24 people.