Ukrainian "smugglers' helicopter" crashes in Slovakia

Six persons have died when a Ukrainian civilian helicopter crashed in eastern Slovakia, Reuters reported on Friday.

Izvor: Tanjug

Friday, 13.11.2015.

16:56

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Ukrainian "smugglers' helicopter" crashes in Slovakia

Ukrainian authorities did not confirm that any aircraft had crossed the border, he said.

Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said that a search, complicated by thick fog, followed after the craft was detected.

"When the fog lifted today we found the wreckage of a Mi2 helicopter in the municipality of Michalovce. We also found dead passengers. So far six victims of the crash have been found," he told a news conference on Friday.

Ukraine's authorities have not confirmed that the helicopter came from that country, Slovak media are reporting, but Kalinak said it had Ukrainian markings.

The Slovak police believe that the helicopter was operated by smugglers - however, it remains unclear at this time whether they smuggled cigarettes or people.

"The pilot was trying to avoid Slovak border guards and was engaging in dangerous maneuvering. Especially, they flew very low in very bad weather. The direct cause of the accident is still unknown, the investigation is ongoing," the minister said.

Kalinak pointed out that the tragic event "showed that smugglers and those smuggling refugees across EU borders stop at nothing."

If it is determined that the helicopter was used to transport refugees, it would be the first such case in Slovakia, considering that "only cigarettes, never people" were previously smuggled across the country's Schengen border with Ukraine.

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