Children die in air crash in Russia's Sakha Republic

A transport helicopter crashed into a hilltop in a polar region of Siberia with the loss of 19 lives, including children, the Russian authorities say.

The Mi-8 helicopter came down, reportedly in strong winds, 66km (41 miles) from Deputatsky in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).

Among the 28 people aboard were 11 children below the age of 12, three of them below the age of three.

It was not immediately clear how many children were killed or injured.

Rescuers were dispatched to the scene in two other Mi-8 helicopters while an emergencies ministry jet was reportedly sent from the far eastern city of Khabarovsk carrying both rescuers and psychologists

According to the service, the helicopter came down in remote, mountainous terrain, making access difficult.

The Interstate Aviation Committee in Moscow said it had opened an inquiry into the crash, which involved a helicopter flying with Polar Airlines, based in the city of Yakutsk.

'Pressed down'

The crash occurred at around 10:40 (23:40 GMT Monday) as the helicopter was flying from Deputatsky to another village, Kazachye.

"The main theory at this time is difficult weather conditions," a regional police source told Russia's Interfax news agency.

"The helicopter was literally pressed into the slope of the hill by strong, descending air currents."

Three crew members and 15 passengers were on board the helicopter, the Interstate Aviation Committee said.

Helicopters are frequently used for transport between towns and villages in remote parts of Siberia.

-BBC