Tourist helicopter with 16 on board crashes into Russian lake

According to Russian local media, thirteen tourists and three crew members were on board when a helicopter crashed into the Kuril Lake on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Nine people have survived the crash while others are feared missing and dead.

Emergency services and divers have been sent to the area to search for those still unaccounted for.

A Mi-8 helicopter was carrying tourists to St Petersburg from Moscow when the incident occurred. The helicopter is said to be lying at a depth of 100 metres (330 feet) in the lake, which is up to 316 meters deep with an area of 77 square kilometers.

The Kamchatka peninsula is a popular destination among tourists. It is home to numerous volcanoes is famous for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife.