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4 Russians among 5 killed in Istanbul helicopter crash (PHOTOS, VIDEOS) 4 Russians among 7 killed in Istanbul helicopter crash (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
(about 4 hours later)
Five people, including four Russians, have died after a helicopter crashed into a television tower in Istanbul in dense fog. Seven people - two pilots, four foreign nationals and a Turkish citizen - are reported to have been on board at the time of the crash. Seven people, including four Russians, have died after a helicopter crashed into a television tower in Istanbul in dense fog. The seven on board comprised two pilots, four foreign nationals and a Turkish citizen.
An emergency center for Russians abroad confirmed the deaths in a tweet. It is not yet known whether the fifth fatality was a member of the crew or a passenger. An emergency center for Russians abroad confirmed five of the deaths in a tweet earlier on Friday.
Photographs taken at the scene show flaming debris scattered on the road at the crash site in Buyukcekmece, on the outskirts of Istanbul. The mayor of Buyukcekmece, Hasan Akgun, told private NTV television that he saw five bodies at the crash site. Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas announced the updated on death toll, reported AP, saying all seven on board had died.
Photographs taken at the scene show flaming debris scattered on the road at the crash site in Buyukcekmece, on the outskirts of Istanbul.
“It hit the tower and crashed by spinning,” an eyewitness told AP, claiming the helicopter hit the tower before crashing on the highway.“It hit the tower and crashed by spinning,” an eyewitness told AP, claiming the helicopter hit the tower before crashing on the highway.
Video from the crash site suggests that the helicopter collided with the Endem TV Tower. The structure is 236 meters (774ft) high with a viewing platform at 160 meters.Video from the crash site suggests that the helicopter collided with the Endem TV Tower. The structure is 236 meters (774ft) high with a viewing platform at 160 meters.
The helicopter is reported to be a privately owned Sikorsky S-76 which crashed after taking off from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. According to local reports, it was en route to Bozüyük, a district in the northwestern province of Bilecik.The helicopter is reported to be a privately owned Sikorsky S-76 which crashed after taking off from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. According to local reports, it was en route to Bozüyük, a district in the northwestern province of Bilecik.
Eczacibasi, the Turkish firm which owns the helicopter, has said that four Russians were on board.Eczacibasi, the Turkish firm which owns the helicopter, has said that four Russians were on board.
Lockheed Martin, which manufactures Sikorsky helicopters, issued a statement Wednesday that the S-76 fleet had recently passed a milestone 7 million hours of flight time globally.Lockheed Martin, which manufactures Sikorsky helicopters, issued a statement Wednesday that the S-76 fleet had recently passed a milestone 7 million hours of flight time globally.
Meanwhile, in January the entire fleet of Sikorsky S-92s was grounded following an accident on a North Sea platform in which a helicopter spun out of control on a helideck.Meanwhile, in January the entire fleet of Sikorsky S-92s was grounded following an accident on a North Sea platform in which a helicopter spun out of control on a helideck.
READ MORE: Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky grounds all S-92 helicopters following accidentREAD MORE: Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky grounds all S-92 helicopters following accident