World
18:05, 13-Aug-2018
Three climbers, two crew die in Tajikistan helicopter crash
Updated
17:33, 16-Aug-2018
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Three Russian climbers and two Tajik crew members have died in a helicopter "hard landing" in Tajikistan's remote mountainous region, AFP reported, citing emergency services.
Rescuers have evacuated thirteen others including twelve climbers and a third crew member on board the Mi-8 helicopter, Tajik emergencies committee told Sputnik.
"Thirteen people have been evacuated to the Lyakhshsky district," the committee said.
The incident occurred after the helicopter made a "hard landing" on Sunday at 1130 GMT when climbers were returning from an expedition up the Ismoili Somoni Mountain, according to the committee. The site where the chopper crashed is some 480km east of the capital Dushanbe in the Pamir range, AFP reported.
The Ismoili Somoni mountain, which is at the height of 7,495m, is Tajikistan's highest and a major tourist attraction.
3780km