Helicopter crashes into Guatemalaâs Lake AtitlÃĄn, 2 missing
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Two people are missing and five have been rescued after a helicopter crashed into Lake AtitlÃĄn in Guatemala on Thursday, local media reported.
The Airbus Helicopters H130, registered TG-GUH, went down in the lake near Panajachel in the southwestern department of SololÃĄ, a popular tourist area. Initial reports indicate the helicopter crashed while attempting to land.
Seven people were on board when the aircraft lost altitude, according to Guatemalaâs General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC). The five evacuated passengers are reported to be safe.
A rescue team and divers from the Volunteer Firefighters launched a search operation in the lake to find the two missing occupants. Heavy rainfall in the area is making the work difficult.
The helicopter took off from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City at 12:11 pm local time, bound for a hotel on the northern side of the lake. The flight was expected to take about 30 minutes. The accident occurred at around 12:35 pm, the DGAC said.
A video of the crash, which circulated on social media, shows the helicopter splashing into the water amid heavy rain.
The cause of the crash is not yet known and is under investigation.
Source: Local media, FL360aero, DGAC