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Ukrainian chopper crash in Slovakia kills six

Friday, 13 November 2015 6:33 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 November 2015 6:29 PM ]

The file photo shows a crashed helicopter in an unknown location.

A Ukrainian civilian helicopter has crashed in eastern Slovakia, killing six people, the Slovak Interior Ministry says.

The Mi-2 turbine-powered transport helicopter crashed near Slovakia's border with Ukraine, which is also the eastern border of the European Union (EU), the ministry spokesman Ivan Netik said on Friday.

The helicopter's wreckage was found near the village of Stretavka, the spokesman said, adding that the search and rescue operation was complicated by foggy condition on the border.

"The Mi-2 helicopter with Ukrainian markings was flying at a low altitude in very bad weather conditions as if it was trying to avoid being detected," Netik said.

Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak suggested that the crash of the Russian-made Mi-2 might have something to do with illegal smuggling activities common on the outer border of the EU.

"We don't know the direct reason for the crash and need to investigate into it," he said.

The minister said the pilot likely tried to evade Slovakia's air traffic control system, adding that the aircraft was doing “dangerous maneuvers."

"It's extraordinarily sad. And you can see that the smugglers or traffickers are ready to use any dangerous activity to get through our border." Kalinak noted.

The police discovered six bodies at the crash site on Friday but could not immediately identify the nationality or gender of the crash victims.

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