Helicopter crash in Chechnya kills 8; possibly shot down

[dArKeR]

An air force helicopter crashed in a mountainous area of southern Chechnya Saturday, killing eight people. The cause of the crash was unknown, but Russian military officials said it was unlikely it had been shot down by Chechen rebels.

Officials initially said there were four people aboard the Mi-8 helicopter, but an air force official who declined to give his name -- in line with Russian practice -- said there were nine aboard and that eight were killed. Russian news agencies quoted air force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky as saying the same.

Surviving passenger

The crash killed three crew members and five border guards who were passengers, Drobyshevsky said, according to the reports.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/07/18/2003264022