Norway: Helicopter with about 13 people on board crashes

Oslo, Apr 29(AZINS) A helicopter with 13 people on board has crashed off the west coast of Norway, rescue services and media reported on Friday. Several people could be seen in the ocean, while the helicopter was on a small island, an eyewitness told news channel TV2. TV2 images showed plumes of smoke rising from the site.

"Helicopter crash: Emergency services at the scene. Extent of damage unknown," the regional fire brigade said on Twitter.

Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg on Twitter said that the news of helicopter crash is 'horrible'.

Quoting local police, newspaper Verdens Gang said the helicopter had 13 people on board. The area just west of Bergen, Norway's second largest city, sees frequent helicopter traffic to and from offshore oil installations.

Norway Police said, "We have not yet found any survivors, we are still looking."

The helicopter was on its way back from the Gullfaks B oil and gas platform in the North Sea, operated by Statoil. Statoil said in a statement it had mobilised its emergency response team. The company declined to comment further.

Separately, Norwegian news agency NTB reported that 13 people were on board the helicopter, citing local police.