Missing Russian chopper found on Arctic seabed

OSLO AFP Oct29, 2017-A Russian helicopter that went down off the coast of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic this week has been found and the eight Russians on board are presumed dead, Norwegian rescue crews said on Sunday.   

The Mil Mi-8 chopper, carrying five crew and three scientists, went missing on Thursday as it was flying to Barentsburg from Pyramiden, a former mining community in Svalbard that is now a tourist site.   

It went down two or three kilometres from Barentsburg, a Russian mining community in the archipelago.   

 “The wreck of the Russian helicopter has been located... northeast of Heerodden, at a depth of 209 metres (686 feet),” the rescue services said in a statement.   

 “The search has now concluded, and has moved into a search phase for the presumed dead.” A sea patrol plane, a Danish aircraft, two Norwegian helicopters and several vessels had been searching the area since Thursday.