S Korean helicopter crashes into sea near disputed islets, 7 missing

Rescuers are searching for seven missing South Koreans after ir helicopter reportedly crashed into sea on Thursday shortly after taking off from Dokdo, disputed islets between Japan and South Korea. According to international media, chopper went down after it picked up an injured fisherman from Dokdo. Reportedly, chopper was located by rescuers 72 metres (240 feet), 600 metres south of islets on Friday. crashed helicopter was a 'Eurocopter EC225' and h seven people on board — five rescuers, one civilian and fisherman. 

Speaking to a news ncy, a fire official said, " patient was on a fishing boat when he lost one of his fingers in an accident.  crew took him to Dokdo and was waiting for rescue helicopter re. patient needed immediate surgery that could have been performed only at facilities on mainland." 

A Coast Guard representative told reporters that chopper was t in its original shape due to impact of crash;  National Fire ncy and civilian boats are searching for missing people. defence ministry has also reportedly sent planes and divers to area for operation. 

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Seoul has controlled islets in Sea of Japan since 1945 which have been centre of a bitter dispute between Japan and South Korea. Last month S Korean fighter jets h reportedly conducted a patrol fight over disputed islets as well. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, while dressing military also claimed that F-15K is most powerful fighter-bomber in rast Asia and has returned after completing a patrol mission from Dokdo, without facing any problem. 

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UN peacekeeping helicopter crashed

In September, a UN peacekeeping helicopter Mi-24 crashed in Central African Republic killing three Senegalese UN peacekeeping crew members and injuring one. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix tweeted confirming crash of one of helicopters of United Nations Mission in Central African Republic while it was having its emergency landing due to b wear. Air support was being given to a security operation by chopper of UN mission against armed group in Nana-Mambere region, said Quoting Stephane, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General while speaking to foreign media. He said that secretary-general Antonio Guterres and United Nations have extended ir condolences to families of deceased and government of Senegal as well.  

(With PTI inputs)

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