Slovakia: 'Illegal migrants' among six dead in Ukrainian helicopter crash
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 November 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Slovakia: 'Illegal migrants' among six dead in Ukrainian helicopter crash, 13 November 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56813d15119.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 13, 2015
At least six people have been killed, including suspected illegal migrants, in the crash of a Ukrainian-registered helicopter in eastern Slovakia.
The Ukrainian border guard service said in a statement on November 13 that "two Ukrainian citizens and four nationals from Southeast Asia, including two women, were on board" the helicopter that crashed 35 kilometers from Ukraine.
It added that the Mi-2 helicopter was "likely" being used by human traffickers to transport illegal migrants.
Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said in Bratislava earlier in the day that the accident is believed to have occurred on November 11 near the eastern city of Michalovce but the crash site wasn't discovered until two days later because of thick fog in the area.
Kalinak said the helicopter was trying to evade Slovakia's air-traffic control system and was performing "dangerous maneuvers."
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
