8 killed in India rescue helicopter crashJune 25, 2013 - 18:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Eight people have been killed in northern India when a rescue helicopter helping flood relief efforts crashed near a pilgrimage site, BBC News said. The Indian Air Force says the victims were five crew members and three civilians. The helicopter, a Russian-made Mi-17, was on a rescue mission near Gaurikund in the state of Uttarakhand. More than 1,000 people have been killed in the area in flash floods and landslides. The military is leading efforts to evacuate around 6,000 pilgrims and tourists still stranded throughout the state since the floods hit on 15 June. Swollen rivers have swept away entire villages in Uttarakhand, where there were many travellers in what is peak tourist season. A spokesman for the air force in the state says the reasons for the crash are being investigated. About 60 air force helicopters are being used in the rescue effort. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |