10 Dec 2012 16:30

Seven people injured, two gravely, in helicopter crash in Abkhazia

SUKHUM. Dec 10 (Interfax) - At least seven people have been injured in a Mi-8 helicopter crash near Lake Ritsa in Abkhazia, according to the latest reports.

The helicopter belonged to the border service of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) unit in Abkhazia.

Two of the passengers are in grave condition, and the other five sustained less severe injuries, a source in Abkhazia's State Security Service told Interfax. They are currently being flown to Sukhum airport.

The helicopter made an emergency landing near Lake Ritsa, a mountain lake situated about 1 km above sea level, at a quarter past noon on Monday. Preliminary reports suggest that there were ten people on board. Earlier reports said that four people had been injured.