Emergency in Taimyr

Due to rough weather, missing helicopter cannot be found

There is still no information about the Russian Mi-6 helicopter that has gone missing in rough weather; the helicopter left Norilsk on Wednesday; it was to follow the route Norilsk – Dixon Island – Cape Eclipse – Cape Chelyuskin. Eight crew members and twelve passengers were on board the helicopter.

The helicopter performed a geological expedition to the Russian Arctic. Last time, the helicopter contacted the ground was Wednesday in the afternoon. However, the Mi-6 did not arrive at Cape Eclipse as scheduled.

The weather conditions are unfavorable for rescue operations: it is raining and snowing heavily; the temperature is near freezing. Twenty-seven rescuers and an operative group of the Siberian regional EMERCOM center of five members have already arrived in Dixon. Three Mi-8 helicopters are ready to join in the search; however, rough weather conditions delay the operation. Taimyr Governor Alexander Khloponin has cut shor his vacation and arrived to Norilsk to control the rescue operations. PRAVDA.Ru will inform readers of new information about the helicopter as soon as more details appear.

Translated by Maria Gousseva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/07/11/44023.html

Related links: