Ukrainian helicopter crashed on a Black Sea platform causing 19 deaths

An Ukrainian MI-8 helicopter crashed on a Black Sea platform, Tavrida causing the death of 19 people, Itar Tass informs quoting Naftogas Ukraini spokesperson Valentin Zemliansky. The Ukrainian official said that the helicopter, transporting the company’s personnel, was 70 km away from the shore and was ready to land.

However, the helicopter’s tail struck a part of the offshore platform and crashed killing 19 people and seriously injuring another one. Most people on board were employees of the Ukrainian company working on the platform.

Last month, some 12 people died after another Ukrainian helicopter crashed in the Black Sea region. MI-8 helicopters were intensively used in the USSR for civilian and military transportation.