Russian investigators have launched a criminal probe into a helicopter crash which killed two Britons on a fishing trip, it was reported.
The men, reported to be in their late 60s, died in the incident, which happened in the Murmansk region of the remote Kola Peninsula, the Daily Telegraph said.
Reports said the Britons were tourists and on a fishing trip and that their Russian guide was the other victim.
The private Eurocopter crashed at a tourist camp on the Rynda river about 90 miles east of Murmansk, in an area known for fly-fishing tours for Atlantic salmon.
According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, the helicopter banked on one side and crashed while attempting to take off.
“The helicopter unloaded the passengers and then ploughed into the ground as it was trying to take off, crushing the people,” emergencies minister Oleg Voronov said.
The helicopter, reportedly owned by the Russian firm Alliance Avia, issued a distress call at about 11am local time.
Russian investigators examining the scene say the cause of the crash is unclear, and have opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was aware of the deaths and is in touch with local authorities.