Six people killed as alleged Ukrainian helicopter crashes in Slovakia: minister

Six people were killed overnight when a Ukrainian helicopter crashed on the Slovak side of the Slovak-Ukrainian border, Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said on Friday.

According to Kalinak, the machine displays the emblems of Ukraine.

"On Wednesday night, we took note of the flight of an unidentified aircraft that crossed our border. A search was then launched, which was complicated by the inclement weather, especially thick fog. As soon as the fog cleared, we discovered the wreckage of an Mi2 helicopter in Michalovce district in the Eastern Slovakia," explained Kalinak.

"Dead people, who had most probably been flying in the helicopter, were found. The search has barely been launched, we've found six victims so far," he said.

The pilot most likely sought to elude Slovak armed forces and their devices.

"And he did some very dangerous manoeuvres, especially in very bad weather, as he flew very low. Obviously, we don't know the direct and immediate cause of the accident, and everything will be subject to an investigations. What occurred is very sad. You see, smugglers of goods or people stop at nothing when seeking to cross our border," concluded Kalinak. Endit