UAE expresses solidarity with Finland, Estonia over deadly helicopters’ collision

 The UAE has expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Estonia, and conveyed its sincere condolences over the victims of the collision of two helicopters near Eura Airport, which resulted in several deaths. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its sincere condolences to the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Estonia, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy.

On Saturday, all five people on board two helicopters were killed when the aircraft collided mid-air in Finland and crashed to the ground, police said.

"Five people died in a helicopter accident near Eura Airport on Saturday," Detective Chief Inspector Johannes Siirila said in a statement.

According to their flight plans, one was carrying two people and the other three.

They had taken off from the Estonian capital Tallinn and were bound for Piikajarvi, a few kilometres from where they came down.

Media reports said those on board were businessmen.

Finnish newspaper Iltalehti quoted one witness, Antti Marjanen, who reported seeing one of the helicopters hit the other during a manoeuvre.

"One of them dropped like a stone and the other one more slowly. I didn't hear any sound," Marjanen was quoted as saying.

Agencies