Russians among 7 dead in Istanbul helicopter crash

Seven people were killed including four Russians when a privately owned helicopter crashed in Istanbul after hitting a television tower on Friday, local media reported, quoting the city’s mayor.
“Seven people were killed in the accident. I would like to send my condolences to the loved ones and to the companies they belonged to,” Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said, quoted by Hurriyet daily.
Turkish media speculated that foggy weather may have caused the crash.
Two pilots and five passengers were on board the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter owned by Turkish conglomerate Eczacibasi, the private Dogan news agency said.
Bulent Eczacibasi, head of the conglomerate, said in televised comments that “four Russian guests” were on board the aircraft as well as a company executive.
Turkish media images showed the helicopter in pieces and thick black smoke as rescue teams continued their search in Buyukcekmece, a western district of Istanbul.
The helicopter had taken off from the main Istanbul Ataturk airport at 11.16 a.m. (0816 GMT) and four minutes later crashed after hitting a television tower, the Turkish Transport Ministry said, quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu.
No one on the ground appeared to have been injured after the crash, the Buyukcekmece district Mayor Hasan Akgun said.
Istanbul has seen thick layers of fog in the past few days causing disruption to travel with flights and ferry services canceled earlier this month.

Source: Arab News