16 feared dead in Tajikistan helicopter crash

[CharlieOneSix]

Thirteen climbers and three crew members are unaccounted for after a helicopter they were travelling in had a "hard landing" in the mountains of Tajikistan, officials say.

BBC News - Helicopter Crash Tajikistan

[probes]

What a way to go for the mountain-climbers. Sorry for the crew, too, of course.

[Mrs Ex-Ascot]

I find the term 'heavy landing' a bit nebulous. Is it to infer that something went horribly wrong whilst trying to land as opposed to a loss of control and crash due to falling out of the sky?

I'd be interested in any comments from any experts on helos as to what they think.

[CharlieOneSix]

At the moment there is little additional information. The Asia-Plus website says it was a Mi-8 returning to base camp at the Fortambek Glacier from the Ismoili Somoni Peak. Their report isn't as pessimistic as the BBC report on deaths.

Asia-Plus Report

EDIT: Asia Plus now reports at least 12 alive

Asia-Plus updated report

[Mrs Ex-Ascot]

C16 thanks for that link, as you say slightly more information and hopeful of survivors.