Helicopter loaded with nearly 2 tons of explosives disappears in Irkutsk region

Photo: Source: Itar-Tass

Rescuers are looking for the Mi-8 helicopter that went off radars in the Irkutsk region. The chopper had ten passengers and nearly two tons of explosives aboard, officials with Russia's EMERCOM said.

According to officials, the Mi-8 helicopter of Angara airline was monitoring the flood situation, disappeared from the radio broadcast at 12:54 Moscow time and did not establish a radio contact at scheduled time.

It has been reported that rescuers found the wreckage of the helicopter not far from the village of Preobrazhenka. Nothing has been said about the passengers yet.

Reportedly, acting chairman of the EMERCOM department for the Irkutsk region, Colonel Stanislav Omelyanchik, was also on board the helicopter. In addition, the chopper was carrying 1.9 tons of explosives that were supposed to be used to blow up ice jams on the Lower Tunguska River.