Number of people injured in helicopter crash in Kiev region rises to 30 - emergency service

MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - The number of people injured when a Ukrainian State Emergency Service helicopter crashed near a kindergarten in Brovary, Kiev region, on Wednesday morning stands at 30 as of 12:30 p.m., the State Emergency Service said.

"Sixteen people, among them three children, died as a result of the emergency. Thirty people, including 12 children, were injured. They have been admitted to hospitals," Ukrainian media said, citing the service's press release.

"A total of 127 people and 30 pieces of hardware are cleaning up the aftermath of the accident. Psychologists and State Emergency Service personnel are working at the scene," it said.

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has opened an investigation into the helicopter crash in Brovary and is looking into several theories behind what happened, Ukrainian media said.

"SBU investigators have started a pre-trial inquiry into the crash of the helicopter. Several theories are currently under consideration, including violation of flight rules, a technical malfunction of the helicopter, and deliberate actions to destroy the aircraft," Ukrainian media outlets said, citing an SBU statement circulated on social media.

The SBU said that its officers are conducting a comprehensive investigation to establish all causes and details of the tragedy.

Ukrainian media said earlier, citing National Police chief Igor Klimenko, that Ukraine's Interior Minister Denis Monastyrsky, his first deputy Yevgeny Yenin and State Secretary Yury Lubkovich died in the helicopter crash.