Four killed in helicopter crash in Russia's Buryatia - Russian Investigative Committee
ULAN-UDE. Dec 30 (Interfax) - Four people were killed when a helicopter crashed in Russia's internal republic of Buryatia, the press center of the Russian Investigative Committee's East Siberia transport branch told Interfax on Sunday.
"The preliminary information available indicates that four people who were on board the helicopter were killed in the air crash," the press center said.
The helicopter fell in the village of Verkhnyaya Beryozovka, it said. A criminal investigation has been opened on charges of a breach of air traffic safety requirements, entailing the death of two or more people (Part 3 of Article 263 of the Russian Penal Code).
According to local media, the helicopter was carrying businessman Sergei Rogov, the owner of the area's major shopping mall People's Park. It is known that he also owns this helicopter.
"We are not commenting on any individuals," the press center said.
It was reported that an AgustaWestland AW119 Koala helicopter had crashed on the outskirts of Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia on Sunday morning. According to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's regional branch, it was a privately owned helicopter and was conducting a private flight. After it crashed, the helicopter caught fire. The blaze has already been put out.