During Extinguishing Mission, A Chinese Fire Helicopter Is On Fire And Crashes Into Erhai Lake

Illustration of an accident evacuation. (Wikimedia Commons/Bmpower)

JAKARTA - Two fire helicopter pilots were killed, after the helicopter was lost control, caught fire, and crashed in Lake Erhai, Dali, Yunnan, China, Monday, May 10, local time.

The fate of the crash occurred while the helicopter was on a firefighting mission, taking water from the lake, the Global Times reported Tuesday, May 11.

"There were four helicopter crews during the mission, and two others are still missing," local authorities said in a statement.

To conduct the search, dozens of boats and hundreds of rescue workers were deployed, to search for and rescue two people who are still declared missing.

"A total of 16 ships and more than 490 rescuers have begun search and rescue efforts at the scene. Rescue is still ongoing," the statement said.

The helicopter tried to fetch water for firefighters but crashed into Lake Erhai, the post wrote. Meanwhile, the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Social media showed the video of the helicopter spinning and falling into the water with fire in the back of the helicopter, as well as the current rescue scene.

It is understood the helicopter was involved in a firefighting mission in a mountain village in Dali, on Sunday, May 9. A total of 930 firefighters were deployed for the mission.