Helicopter carrying 10 people crashes in N. Sulawesi

A helicopter carrying 10 passengers is reported to have crashed in Bitung, North Sulawesi, just minutes after take off on Wednesday night, a military official says.

He said the aircraft, which was owned by Yaman Airways, was rented by PT Nusa Halmahera Mining, and had been bound for Halmahera, North Maluku, when it went down.

“We are going to search for the victims first thing tomorrow morning,” Marine battalion commander Maj. Appolinaris said on Wednesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

The local police reported that among the victims were Australians as well as local people. There was no clear report about the condition of the helicopter or its passengers.