A helicopter carrying 16 tourists and crew on a sightseeing trip in Russia's far east crashed into a lake on Thursday, leaving eight people including a child feared dead and two others in serious condition.

The Mi-8 helicopter crash-landed into the icy waters of Kuril Lake in the mountainous Kamchatka peninsula in poor visibility and sank, local authorities said.

Staff of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve dispatched boats to the crash site and saved eight people, two of whom are now in intensive care with various injuries. Survivors praised wildlife inspectors for coming to their rescue in a matter of minutes.

"This situation is close to a miracle," said governor Vladimir Solodov.

The other eight -- including the only child on board and the crew commander -- were missing and feared dead.&nbsp;

"We don't have any information about the rest," the governor's spokeswoman, Alla Golovan, told AFP.

The wreckage of the helicopter was now lying at a depth of more than 130 metres (420 feet) some 700 metres from the shore, the emergencies ministry said.

Rescuers and divers were dispatched to the scene but they did not have the necessary equipment to begin work at that depth.

Solodov said the authorities turned to the defence ministry, which sent the necessary underwater equipment.

"Robots will be studying the bottom of Kuril Lake at the site of the crash," the governor said.

Rescued from icy water

Recounting the crash and subsequent rescue operation, wildlife inspectors said that the visibility at the lake was no greater than 100 metres, adding that they heard the helicopter but could not see it.

When staff of the reserve heard a loud "boom", they said they dispatched two motorboats with four inspectors, who reached the scene in about three to four minutes.

"Eight people were on the surface, who we immediately lifted onboard," inspector Yevgeny Denges said in a statement. The inspectors looked for other survivors but could not find anyone, Denges added.

Citing the survivors, the nature reserve said that the chopper began to sink nose first and the passengers managed to swim up to the surface from a depth of eight to nine metres.

"The water temperature in the lake is no more than 5-6 degrees (Celsius, 41-43 degrees Fahrenheit), it is impossible to remain in it for a long time," the reserve said.&nbsp;

The tourists were from Russia's second city Saint Petersburg.

One of the survivors, Viktor Strelkin, said that at the time of the accident he was sleeping and woke up when a stream of water hit him in the face.

"My friend's son was sitting next to me. He was fastened with a security belt and I did not have time to yank him out because I woke up too late," Strelkin said in remarks released by authorities.

'Horrible weather conditions'

Strelkin, who practices free-diving, managed to unfasten himself, breathe in some air before the cabin filled with water, get out of the aircraft and swim up to the surface.

Another survivor, state TV presenter Nikolai Korzhenevsky, appeared to blame the crew for the accident.&nbsp;

"For some reason we flew there even though we knew about the horrible weather conditions there," he said.

Kamchatka is a vast peninsula popular with adventure tourists for its abundant wildlife, live volcanoes and black sand beaches.

The aircraft belongs to a firm called Vityaz-Aero, co-owned by local lawmaker Igor Redkin.

Earlier this week, Redkin made headlines in Russia when he admitted to killing a man he mistook for a bear.&nbsp;

Officials said the helicopter had been in operation since 1984 but was in good condition.

The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was looking into a potential violation of air safety rules.&nbsp;

The regional prosecutor's office launched a probe to study "the implementation of the legislation on the provision of tourist services".

In July, a small plane crashed on the peninsula, killing 19 people when it flew into a cliff.&nbsp;

Airplane crashes are fairly common in Russia due to poor maintenance and lax compliance with safety rules.

A helicopter carrying 16 tourists and crew on a sightseeing trip in Russia's far east crashed into a lake on Thursday, leaving eight people including a child feared dead and two others in serious condition.

A helicopter carrying 16 tourists and crew on a sightseeing trip in Russia's far east crashed into a lake on Thursday, leaving eight people including a child feared dead and two others in serious condition. The Mi-8 helicopter crash-landed into the icy waters of Kuril Lake in the mountainous Kamchatka peninsula in poor visibility and sank, local authorities said. Staff of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve dispatched boats to the crash site and saved eight people, two of whom are now in intensive care with various injuries. Survivors praised wildlife inspectors for coming to their rescue in a matter of minutes. "This situation is close to a miracle," said governor Vladimir Solodov. The other eight -- including the only child on board and the crew commander -- were missing and feared dead. "We don't have any information about the rest," the governor's spokeswoman, Alla Golovan, told AFP. The wreckage of the helicopter was now lying at a depth of more than 130 metres (420 feet) some 700 metres from the shore, the emergencies ministry said. Rescuers and divers were dispatched to the scene but they did not have the necessary equipment to begin work at that depth. Solodov said the authorities turned to the defence ministry, which sent the necessary underwater equipment. "Robots will be studying the bottom of Kuril Lake at the site of the crash," the governor said. Rescued from icy water Recounting the crash and subsequent rescue operation, wildlife inspectors said that the visibility at the lake was no greater than 100 metres, adding that they heard the helicopter but could not see it. When staff of the reserve heard a loud "boom", they said they dispatched two motorboats with four inspectors, who reached the scene in about three to four minutes. "Eight people were on the surface, who we immediately lifted onboard," inspector Yevgeny Denges said in a statement. The inspectors looked for other survivors but could not find anyone, Denges added. Citing the survivors, the nature reserve said that the chopper began to sink nose first and the passengers managed to swim up to the surface from a depth of eight to nine metres. "The water temperature in the lake is no more than 5-6 degrees (Celsius, 41-43 degrees Fahrenheit), it is impossible to remain in it for a long time," the reserve said. The tourists were from Russia's second city Saint Petersburg. One of the survivors, Viktor Strelkin, said that at the time of the accident he was sleeping and woke up when a stream of water hit him in the face. "My friend's son was sitting next to me. He was fastened with a security belt and I did not have time to yank him out because I woke up too late," Strelkin said in remarks released by authorities. 'Horrible weather conditions' Strelkin, who practices free-diving, managed to unfasten himself, breathe in some air before the cabin filled with water, get out of the aircraft and swim up to the surface. Another survivor, state TV presenter Nikolai Korzhenevsky, appeared to blame the crew for the accident. "For some reason we flew there even though we knew about the horrible weather conditions there," he said. Kamchatka is a vast peninsula popular with adventure tourists for its abundant wildlife, live volcanoes and black sand beaches. The aircraft belongs to a firm called Vityaz-Aero, co-owned by local lawmaker Igor Redkin. Earlier this week, Redkin made headlines in Russia when he admitted to killing a man he mistook for a bear. Officials said the helicopter had been in operation since 1984 but was in good condition. The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was looking into a potential violation of air safety rules. The regional prosecutor's office launched a probe to study "the implementation of the legislation on the provision of tourist services". In July, a small plane crashed on the peninsula, killing 19 people when it flew into a cliff. Airplane crashes are fairly common in Russia due to poor maintenance and lax compliance with safety rules.

Eight feared dead as Russia tourist helicopter crashes into lake

A helicopter with 16 people on board, most of them tourists, crashed in the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's far east on Thursday, the local government said, with seven of them unaccounted for.

The&nbsp;Mi-8 helicopter&nbsp;operated by Vityaz-Aero company with 13 passengers and three crew hard-landed near a lake on the south of Kamchatka peninsula, the local emergency service said.

The helicopter was carrying tourists from Moscow and St Petersburg, state news agency RIA reported, citing a source at the emergency service. RIA said the helicopter fell into the lake.

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Nine people were found alive at the scene, Interfax news agency reported, citing a source with Kamchatka's health ministry.

TASS news agency said seven passengers and two crew members survived the crash, citing an emergency service representative.

An investigation has been opened for violation of air safety rules, said the Russian Investigation Committee, which handles air accident probes.

The Vityaz-Aero helicopter was transporting the tourists to Khodutka, a volcano near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Kamchatka is a large territory with few inhabitants but is visited by tourists for its volcanoes and scenery.

In early July, an aircraft from a small local company crashed in the peninsula, killing 19 people.

Russia historically had a poor air safety record but has significantly improved its aviation standards since the 2000s.

The country's major airlines have shifted from ageing Soviet aircraft to more modern planes. But maintenance issues and lax compliance with safety rules have remained a problem.

(With inputs from agencies)

A helicopter with 16 people on board, most of them tourists, crashed in the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's far east on Thursday, the local government said, with seven of them unaccounted for.

A helicopter with 16 people on board, most of them tourists, crashed in the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's far east on Thursday, the local government said, with seven of them unaccounted for. The Mi-8 helicopter operated by Vityaz-Aero company with 13 passengers and three crew hard-landed near a lake on the south of Kamchatka peninsula, the local emergency service said. The helicopter was carrying tourists from Moscow and St Petersburg, state news agency RIA reported, citing a source at the emergency service. RIA said the helicopter fell into the lake. Also read | China, Russia conduct joint military drills with J-20 fighters, missiles and drones Nine people were found alive at the scene, Interfax news agency reported, citing a source with Kamchatka's health ministry. TASS news agency said seven passengers and two crew members survived the crash, citing an emergency service representative. An investigation has been opened for violation of air safety rules, said the Russian Investigation Committee, which handles air accident probes. The Vityaz-Aero helicopter was transporting the tourists to Khodutka, a volcano near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Kamchatka is a large territory with few inhabitants but is visited by tourists for its volcanoes and scenery. In early July, an aircraft from a small local company crashed in the peninsula, killing 19 people. Russia historically had a poor air safety record but has significantly improved its aviation standards since the 2000s. The country's major airlines have shifted from ageing Soviet aircraft to more modern planes. But maintenance issues and lax compliance with safety rules have remained a problem. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia: Helicopter with 16 on board crashes in Far East

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Eight feared dead as Russia tourist helicopter crashes into lake

Russia: Helicopter with 16 on board crashes in Far East