VIDEO: Helicopter Catches Fire in Buryatia; Crew Members Fail to Survive

A helicopter caught fire on Friday at the airport in Buryatia's capital, with details regarding the circumstances and the victims being clarified, a representative of the regional emergency services told RIA Novosti.

“A helicopter is burning on the runway at Ulan-Ude Airport, details are being clarified,” the source said.

Later, RIA Novosti reported that three people died during the hard landing of a Mi-8 helicopter, according to a representative of the regional emergency situation service. “Three crew members have died,” the source stated.

According to the information, the helicopter made a hard landing at the airport in Buryatia's capital after taking off from Lake Baikal. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.