Key points
- An Estonian helicopter made an emergency landing on the water between the islands of Vilsandi and Saaremaa, hitting clouds and losing altitude.
- There were seven people on board who survived by floating on the helicopter's hull before rescuers arrived, and none of them required medical assistance.
- The rescue operation was coordinated by the Police and Border Guard Board, and the causes of the incident are still being investigated.
Helicopter crashes in the Baltic Sea / Irina Mägi/ERR
On Sunday, July 6, a helicopter made an emergency landing on the water in the Baltic Sea. The transport was registered in Estonia.
The incident took place between the islands of Vilsandi and Saaremaa, 24 Kanal reported, citing ERR.
Helicopter accident in the Baltic Sea
According to preliminary data from the Police and Border Guard Department, the aircraft entered clouds, lost altitude and was forced to make an emergency landing on the sea surface. After touching the water, the helicopter flipped over, but thanks to automatic floats, it remained afloat.
There were seven people on board: five adults and two children. All of them got out of the cabin on their own and remained on the helicopter until rescuers arrived. Twenty minutes after receiving the distress signal, the marine search and rescue team evacuated all passengers to the port of Vikati. None of them required medical assistance.
According to law enforcement, the helicopter was flying from Vilsandi to Tallinn. The reasons for the crash are still being investigated. The rescue operation was coordinated by the Police and Border Guard Board.
