Vladimir Putin expresses condolences over death of Russian helicopter

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of those who have died in the catastrophe of a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in Kamchatka, the RIA Novosti correspondent was informed in the press service of the president, now on leave in the Altai territory in southern Siberia.

Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu, who led the operation for search of the helicopter, missed three days ago, has without delay reported to the president on the discovery of the helicopter and the death of people on board.

The debris was discovered at 7:00 today 150 kilometers south-west of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski, administrative center of the Kamchatka region. According to the pilot who spotted the helicopter, human bodies were found scattered around the helicopter debris.

Russian officials confirm that all the passengers and the crew have died. The helicopter with a delegation of the Sakhalin region, led by governor Igor Farkhutdinov, was heading for the Kurile islands. According to various sources, between 15 and 20 people were on board.

Preparations for evacuation of the bodies and what has remained of the helicopter is being prepared for the conduct of the required operative-search actions and technical examination.

Officials from the prosecutor's office have flown to the site.