Kazakhstan, Astana, Nov. 28 / Trend E. Kosolapova /
The main bodies of Kazakh transport prosecutor's office have opened a criminal investigation over the disappearance of a helicopter which is being sought for more than five days, the press service of the Ministry stated on Wednesday.
"On November 27 Druzhbinsk transport prosecutor's office opened a criminal case under Article 295 of the Criminal Code 'Violation of safety rules and operation of railway, air or water transport'.
On November 24 a Mi-8 helicopter owned by the Eurasia Air airline overflying the Kazakhstan-China pipeline, flew in the direction of Dostyk. Eight people, including five crew members and three specialists, were on board. According to the branch of Kazaeronavigatsia (Almaty), communication with the helicopter crew was lost after some time.
A special 54-strong search and rescue team including staff from the Department for Emergency Situations, police, railway workers and volunteers from nearby communities conducted a search for the helicopter, headed by the deputy head of the Department for Emergency Situations of the Almaty region.
Four border service helicopters of the Kazakh National Security Committee, Kazaviaspas JSC, Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations and Eurasia Air, as well as land and water vehicles are involved in the investigation.
The measures taken up to now have not proved positive. The investigation is entrusted to Internal Ministry's transport agencies and search operations are under the special control of prosecutor's office.