16 missing after Russian chopper crashes into lake

MOSCOW, June 1 (AFP): Sixteen people were missing after a helicopter believed to be carrying top regional officials and businessmen crashed into a lake in northwestern Russia, police and the emergencies ministry said Sunday.

According to preliminary information, the Mi-8 helicopter was carrying 18 people, including five crew, when it crashed over Munozero lake in a remote area in the northwestern Murmansk region on Saturday, regional officials said.

Two people were injured and hospitalised and the rest are considered missing, officials said.