5 dead, 2 injured in Russia's helicopter crash

Five people were killed and two others injured when a private helicopter crashed in Russia's southern Dagestan region on Friday.

The regional health ministry stated that four died at the scene, and one of the three people hospitalized succumbed to injuries.

Nabi Kurayev, first deputy minister of health of the Republic of Dagestan, visited the injured at the Republican Clinical Hospital, one in critical condition and the other in moderate condition, according to local authorities.

Sergei Melikov, head of the Republic of Dagestan, confirmed seven people were on board the helicopter and noted that relevant authorities were investigating the cause of the crash.

Authorities reported that the Ka-226 helicopter burst into flames on impact and was completely destroyed. Regional emergency services indicated that an in-flight engine fire is being considered the primary cause of the crash.

The Main Directorate of the Russian Emergencies Ministry for Dagestan said in a statement that the private helicopter, which was en route from Kizlyar to Izberbash, crashed into an uninhabited house.

The directorate said that the fire has been completely extinguished, adding that 17 pieces of equipment and 51 people were involved in the operation.

A criminal case has been opened over safety violations that resulted in multiple deaths.