Russian helicopter carrying eight people crashes into sea

Russian helicopter with eight people on board has smashed into the sea near the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

The rescue service for northern Norway says the helicopter was en route to Barentsburg, Svalbard's second- largest settlement, from the Russian settlement of Pyramiden. "We have found oil on the water but no wreck," Olav Bjoergaas, a spokesman for the Joint Rescue Coordination Centers for northern Norway, told The Associated Press.

He added that there was poor visibility and heavy snowfall in the region. Svalbard is more than 800 kilometers north of Norway's mainland.

The rescue service said the helicopter went down 2 to 3 kilometers from Barentsburg at 3.30 pm. The Mi-8 helicopter belonged to Russian coal company Arktikugol but was operated by charter company Konvers Avia, the Russian Energy Ministry said in a statement.

Several units, including two helicopters from the local Svalbard governor and ships from the coast guard and local fishermen were at the presumed crash site, Bjoergaas said. Local hospitals were on high alert.

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