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Turkey’s Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications has confirmed that the helicopter fell down after hitting a television tower near the TUYAP exhibition center in Istanbul.

In the meantime, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed on its Twitter account that five people, including four Russian nationals died in the crash.

15:17 (GMT+4) A civil helicopter belonging to a private company crashed in the Buyukcekmece District of Istanbul on the morning of March 10, killing five people on board, Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin has stated, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

The Sikorsky S-76 model helicopter hit a TV tower in the district before crashing onto a nearby highway, according to an eyewitness who spoke to CNN Turk.
The helicopter that belonged to the Eczacibasi Group was carrying Eczacibasi Building Products Country Director Salim Ozen, regional sales manager Aleksandr Vanin, Russian guests Igor Kochergin, Luidmila Chuprova, Elena Badragan along with Turkish pilots Alaattin Nacar and Ahmet Bulut, the holding said in a statement.

“One manager and four Russian guests were on board,” Bulent Eczacibasi, head of Eczacibasi Holding, told reporters at the scene.

The helicopter was heading to the Bozuyuk District of the northwestern province of Bilecik to bring the passengers to a facility belonging to the group there.

13:41 (GMT+4) The helicopter crashed into a television tower near the TUYAP exhibition center in Istanbul, Turkey, due to low visibility, Turkey’s NTV channel reports citing eyewitnesses.

Five people – helicopter passengers and crew members – were killed in the accident, according to preliminary reports.

12:55 (GMT+4) A fire helicopter has crashed in the Buyukcekmece District in Istanbul, Turkey, the country’s media outlets report. Rescue teams have been sent to the accident site.

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