The National Police of Ukraine have given an update on the death toll following a devastating helicopter crash in a small suburb 20 miles northeast of the capital of Kyiv.
Reports on how many were killed in the crash have been inconsistent, with earlier tolls suggesting 18 people had died. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky subsequently said the number of people killed was 15.
Spokeswoman of the National Police Maryana Reva, speaking on the air of the national telethon, confirmed that the death toll is officially 16 just after noon.
She said:At the moment, according to the information that has been clarified at this moment, 16 people died as a result of this plane crash.
“Three of the dead are children. In addition, 25 people are in medical facilities, they are provided with qualified assistance, 10 of them are injured. Several persons are in serious condition in intensive care.”
The State Emergency Service has subsequently said that 30 people, including 12 children, were injured and hospitalized in the incident, although they said such information was subject to clarification.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the President’s Office, said shortly after that 30 people were injured, including 12 children.
The Ukrainian police are currently carrying out door-to-door rounds in the suburb of Brovary, interviewing witnesses and neutralizing the situation.
The law enforcement officers are asking those who saw the flight of the DSNS helicopter to contact them and provide evidence.
Investigators currently at the scene include those from the National Police of Ukraine and the Secret Service (SBU).