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More aircraft to join search for missing helicopter
The Russian Emergencies Ministry is planning to involve more aircraft and helicopters in the search for the Mi-8 helicopter that went missing on Kamchatka. According to a source in the ministry's Information Department, the search will be intensified as soon as weather conditions and visibility improve on Saturday afternoon.
"We shall engage more aircraft in the search," the source said. "Beginning August 23, it will involve 12 helicopters and 6 planes." In the meantime, it has grown dark and the search has been suspended. "We have a lesser area to examine now that we've scoured two districts out of seven where the helicopter could have landed," the source added.
The search effort on Friday involved 19 helicopter sorties to the searched area. "The suggestion that an oil slick found on the river Ozyornaya may have something to do with the missing helicopter has not been confirmed," said RIA Novosti's source.