Report: Russian helicopter crash kills 19

MOSCOW – Nineteen people have been killed and three more are injured after a Russian military helicopter crash-landed in the country’s northern Yamal region, news agency TASS reported Saturday, citing an unnamed local enforcement official.

“Rescuers that arrived at the site have entered the damaged helicopter, where they found three people in serious condition. According to preliminary data, other 19 passengers were killed,” the source said, according to TASS.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry earlier reported that a Mi-8 helicopter crashed 50 miles northwest of the town of Urengoy in the country’s Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District.

According to preliminary data, 22 people were onboard the helicopter, TASS said.

It is believed that the helicopter was transporting oil company employees and was on its way to Urengoy.

Authorities have launched an investigation.