Two Russian pilots were among the five seriously injured after a civilian helicopter, contracted by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), crashed in Afghanistan Sunday, killing 16 passengers, a Russian embassy official in Kabul said Monday.
The Russian Mi-8 helicopter, owned by the Vertical-T air company, crashed during takeoff from the Kandahar air field in Afghanistan. There were 3 crew members and 18 passengers on board. No military personnel among the killed or injured.
The diplomat said the Russians are the commander of the crew and the second pilot, while a Belarusian flight engineer is also among those seriously injured. They are undergoing treatment at a Canadian base hospital in Kandahar.
"There is no information on the nationality of the passengers," the diplomat said, adding that two passengers were also injured in the accident.
There was no indication of the cause of the accident but insurgent action has been ruled out, the ISAF said in a statement. The military force released no further information about the crash or the victims.
An investigation into the crash is being conducted by the air base administration and the Interstate Aviation Committee.
The ISAF frequently charters Russian Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters to transport civilian contractors and supplies to small military outposts across Afghanistan.
The latest crash came a day after a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed in the eastern province of Ghazni killing both crew members on board.
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