Helicopter Carrying 13 ‘Totally Smashed’ On Norway Coast, Several Dead

An Airbus helicopter H225 Super Puma, formerly known as a Eurocopter EC225, similar to the one pictured crashed off the coast of Norway after picking up passengers from a Statoil oil platform. File Photo courtesy Airbus

BERGEN, Norway, April 29 (UPI) — Several people have been found dead after a helicopter carrying 13 people crashed off the coast of Norway.

Police spokesman Morten Kronen reported the aircraft was “totally smashed.” Local media reported people were spotted in the sea after the wreck, according to USA Today.

Authorities also mention eyewitness reports of “an explosion and thick smoke.”

Local media reported several people have been found dead, according to the BBC,but a specific number has not been confirmed.

Norway’s Rescue Coordination Center told the Mirror the “fate of passengers onboard is unclear,” but that “rescue services are doing all they can to find people alive.”

The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC225 from the CHC Helikopter service, was traveling to Bergen from the Gullfaks B oil platform, operated by Statoil, in the North Sea, thecompany confirmed on Twitter.

Statoil has reportedly deployed its emergency response team and has also temporarily grounded remaining traffic helicopters.

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