5 die in helicopter crash in Tajikistan’s Pamir Mountains

MOSCOW – Tajikistan’s Emergencies Committee says five people have died in the crash-landing of a helicopter carrying climbers in the former Soviet republic.

The committee’s spokeswoman, Umeda Yusupova, said in a statement that three of the victims were Russian mountaineers and two were Tajik members of the helicopter crew. Yusupova said that the remaining 12 climbers and one crewmember were evacuated by rescue helicopters on Monday.

Yusupova said the Mi-8 helicopter crash-landed Sunday while flying in strong winds and poor visibility in the Pamir Mountains. The helicopter was carrying 13 Russians, one Belarusian and one Spanish citizen back to their camp after they had climbed the 7,495-meter (24,590-foot) Ismoil Somoni Peak.

Yusupova said the survivors sustained injuries and were given medical assistance.