Three Tourists, Two Crew Members Dead Following Mi-8 Hard Landing in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE (Sputnik) - Rescuers have evacuated 13 people on board the Mi-8 helicopter, which made a hard landing in the mountains of eastern Tajikistan, the Tajik emergencies committee told Sputnik.

"Thirteen people have been evacuated to the Lyakhshsky district," the committee said.

It said three mountaineers from Russia and two crew members were killed in the helicopter's hard landing.

On Sunday, Mi-8 helicopter carrying 13 climbers and three crew members made a hard landing in the mountains.

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The incident took place when mountaineers were returning to a base camp after climbing Ismoil Somoni Peak, the highest mountain in Tajikistan (approximately 24,600 feet above sea level).