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Mi-8 found in Transbaikalia

The Mi-8, had seven persons on board- three crew members and four stuff members of aviation forestry

A Mi-8 helicopter of Russia's EMERCOM was found in Transbaikalia; everyone on board is alive, information department of the ministry told Itar-Tass on Sunday.

“At 17:09 Moscow time, the helicopter was found, the crew and the passengers are alive,” the source said.

A Mi-8 helicopter of Russia’s EMERCOM made an emergency landing in the Kyrym District of Transbaikalia, press service of EMERCOM’s local branch reported on Sunday.

“It was an emergency landing, and the reasons to be announced additionally,” the source said adding that everyone was alive. “According to preliminary information, nobody was wounded.”

"Before flying, Mi-8 was in good technical condition," the source said. The weather conditions in Transbaikalia were favourable, too.

Mi-8, which was involved in identification and extinguishing of wildfires in Transbaikalia, disappeared from radar screens on Sunday at 12:45 Moscow time. After the helicopter crew stopped to communicate, there were signals from Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB).

The Mi-8, had seven persons on board- three crew members and four stuff members of aviation forestry, the local branch of Russia’s EMERCOM reported.

The Mi-8 helicopter, which belongs to Russia’s Emergencies Ministry, is able to carry up to 24 passengers. It is one of major helicopters to extinguish wildfires. For this purpose, the outer suspension of a helicopter is equipped with a water supplying device with capacity of 5 tonnes. The vehicle has proven to be one of best helicopters to be used for fighting fires and it has been used many times not only in Russia but also abroad.

Transbaikalia has been keeping emergency regimen since October 3. There are 22 forest fires occupying an area of 1,497 hectares.

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