Helicopter Crash in Russia's Far East Kills 3, Injures 2

A helicopter crashed on landing in Russia's remote Far East on Monday, killing three people and injuring two, the local branch of the emergencies ministry said.

The Mi-8 helicopter, which belonged to a local air firm and was inspecting lighthouses in the Chukotka region, was carrying three crew and two passengers when it crashed in the village of Billings.

"As a result of the disaster three people died. After the crash a fire started which was rapidly put out," the emergencies ministry said in a statement.

It said that the two injured were taken to a medical point in Billings, a remote village on the northern coast of Chukotka and named after a nineteenth century British explorer.

The Interfax news agency said a helicopter carrying medics and investigators was unable to fly to Billings for the moment due to bad weather but sufficient medical help was being given to the injured.