Number of killed in helicopter crash in Chechnya reaches 118

The number of killed in a crash of the Russian Mi-26 helicopter on August 19th in Chechnya has reached 118 people. Another serviceman, out of the 147 who were on board, died in the early hours or Thursday in a military hospital. The helicopter was returning home from the Russian military base in Khankala.

By now, 25 corpses of the crash victims have been identified. Indentification is being conducted in a special laboratory in the city of Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia. Relatives of the servicemen who were on board the helicopter are also taking part in the work of experts. According to a preliminary version, the aircraft was brought down by Chechen militants.