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Additional rescuers join searches for missing Mi-8 helicopter in Tyva

KRASNOYARSK, October 11. /TASS/. Additional rescuers have joined searches for missing Mi-8 helicopter in Tuva. On Saturday morning, 317 rescuers and 42 specialised vehicles are involved in the mission, spokesman for the regional Emergencies Ministry centre, Aleksey Khlapov told TASS.

Twelve people - seven passengers and five crewmembers were aboard the helicopter.

“As of 5 a.m. Moscow time [on Saturday] three Mi-8 helicopters, two An-26 and An-2 planes are used to search for the missing helicopter. The ground rescue group involves 317 people and 42 units of equipment,” he said.

On October 10, the helicopter went missing in the republic of Tyva, East Siberia, the spokesman said.

The radio contact with the helicopter was lost when it was on the way between the communities of Sorug and Kyzyl, located 270 kilometres away from each other. Air surveillance of the area is underway.

A state of emergency was declared in the republic late on October 10.

The republic’s head, Sholban Kara-oop, instructed Vice-Premier Damba Huuraku to ensure interaction of all authorities with the rescue groups.