VLADIKAVKAZ, September 11 (RIA Novosti) - Five people reportedly survived a military helicopter crash in southern Russia, an air force spokesman said Monday.
The Mi-8 Hip transport helicopter, with a three-man crew and 12 logistics officers from the headquarters of the North Caucasus military district on board, crashed near the North Ossetian capital of Vladikavkaz at 17.33 Moscow time (13.33 GMT).
"Five people have been found alive at the crash site. The fate of the others has yet to be determined," Alexander Drobyshevsky said.
The spokesman said a special commission from the Russian Defense Ministry was heading to the crash site to investigate.
Earlier reports said three people died and four were injured in the crash.