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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Russia: Helicopter with 16 on board crashes in Far East