Britons among dead in Russia helicopter crash

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said the private Eurocopter crashed about 90 miles from the northern city of Murmansk, in the Kola Peninsula.

It said the helicopter suddenly banked on one side and crashed while attempting to take off.

The state investigative committee said the victims were two British tourists and their Russian guide, but did not name the victims.

Russian news reports quoted local officials as saying that the two British nationals were in the area on a fishing trip.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of the deaths of two British nationals in Russia. We are in touch with the local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance.”