Eleven dead found after Norway helicopter crash: Rescuers

Pic courtesy: Associated Press

Oslo: Eleven dead bodies have been recovered after a helicopter carrying 13 people crashed off western Norway on Friday, with the search continuing for the other two, rescue services said.

The helicopter, a Super Puma that crashed en route from a North Sea offshore oil platform, was carrying 11 Norwegians, one Briton and one Italian, the Sola rescue centre said.

Jon Sjursoe, a spokesman for Norway's Joint Rescue Coordination Center, said there were 11 Norwegian nationals, one Briton and one Italian on the Eurocopter EC-225 helicopter that crashed today but he didn't know which were among the confirmed victims.

Norwegian broadcaster NRK said 11 of the 13 people on board were employed by Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil ASA. The company didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

The helicopter was on its way from the Gullfaks B oil field in the North Sea to Bergen, 120 kilometers (74 miles) away on the Norwegian mainland.