Russian emergency services helicopter crashes over lake in Russia’s northwest

A Russian Emergency Situations Ministry Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Russia’s Republic of Karelia during a flight over Lake Onega. Communications with the helicopter were lost during a February 4 training flight, reported Interfax. Later, the Mi-8’s wreckage was found in the lake, 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) from the shore, at depths of up to 50 meters (164 feet).

Artur Parfenchikov, the governor of the republic, published a photo from the crash site and wrote that employees of the St. Petersburg Aviation Center were on board.

There was no information on the fate of the crew at the time of publication.

A criminal case has been opened into the crash for violations of air traffic and aircraft operation safety regulations.