UPDATES WITH HELICOPTER DEPARTURE, DESTINATION, CONFIRMATION OF CASUALTIES
By Etem Geylan and Ali Cevahir Akturk
ISTANBUL (AA) – A helicopter crashed in an Istanbul suburb on Friday, an official said.
Hasan Akgun, the mayor of Buyukcekmece, told CNN Turk TV that he had seen five bodies from the crash, adding that seven people had been aboard the private aircraft.
Provincial Governor Vasip Sahin confirmed the number of casualties.
The Sikorsky helicopter had earlier taken off from Ataturk Airport, to the east of Buyukcekmece, and was headed for Bilecik province in northwest Anatolia.
Buyukcekmece is situated on the northwestern side of the city and contains an industrial area and residential neighborhoods.
The E5 highway, which runs through the district, was closed after debris landed on the road.
There was no immediate cause given for the crash, which happened at around 11.30 local time (0830GMT).
Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the area.
