Date:05/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090553381500.htm

National

Two Indians dead in Dubai copter crash

DUBAI: Two Indians were among seven killed when a helicopter taking them to an oil drilling platform crashed off the coast of Dubai, officials said on Thursday.

The Bell helicopter, which was carrying all seven foreign oil contractors including the crew, crashed at the Rashid oil field, approximately 70 km offshore Dubai around 20.20 local time (22.50 IST) on Wednesday night, said Petrofac, the service operator for Dubai Petroleum Establishment.

The helicopter, engaged in a routine infield flight, crashed on the deck of the platform during take-off and broke into pieces in a ball of fire.

Following the incident, all operations on the oil field were suspended.

The others killed were an American, a Briton, a Pakistani, a Filipino and a Venezuelan.

The UAE authorities have instituted an investigation into the crash. — PTI