Forensic team arrives at SMURD helicopter’s crash place

Chisinau, 2 June /MOLDPRES/-Representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Civil Aviation Authority, a group of criminologists and the deputy head of the General Police Inspectorate (IGP) arrived at the place of the accident to investigate the causes of SMURD helicopter’s crash.

Representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority said the investigation would last around 30 days. “We cannot offer any other details now. We are going to thoroughly research the case,” they said.

Also now, in Haragis village, Cantemir district arrived Romanian Ambassador to Moldova Marius Lazurca. He said the Romanian Embassy in Chisinau will deal with the repatriation of the bodies. “A delegation of prosecutors and representatives of the Romanian Interior Ministry are now heading towards Moldova to establish the causes of the accident together with the Moldovan law-enforcement bodies,” Lazurca said.

The first to reach the place was the mayor of Haragis village, Iurie Balanuta, who contacted the emergency service. Subsequently, the pre-hospital medical assistance from Cociulia village arrived, followed by the emergency medical team from Cantemir and Cahul districts, along with rescuers and firemen.

According to Balanuta, he and the residents of the village had found three carbonized bodies, while one of them would have been moved by the others. “Subsequently, we isolated the area and tried to extinguish the fire by ourselves, after which we had found the pilot’s helmet. We researched the area but we could not find any other bodies. Probably the tragedy was caused by the bad weather conditions.”

Witnesses said they had heard rumbling followed by black smoke. “I saw the helicopter flying at very low altitude, then I heard two booms, the two tanks may have exploded", said one witness.

"It was too late and we could not save anyone," another witness said.

Currently the bodies remain at the crash site, on the grounds that the forensic team is conducting research.

A SMURD helicopter crashed near the village Haragîş, Cantemir today. All four crew members: pilot, co-pilot, doctor and paramedic died. The SMURD aircraft and medical personnel belonged to the department from Iasi.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor M. Jantovan)