Two people missing in firefighting helicopter crash in Turkey

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Divers were dispatched to the area to search for the missing Turkish pilot and forest security officer, Governor Ahmet Alitiparmak was quoted by state-run Anatolian Agency as saying. 

Three Russian technicians aboard the Russian-made helicopter were rescued after the accident in the Milas district of the southwestern province of Mugla, according to reports. 

The helicopter crashed while collecting water to extinguish a forest fire that has been raging in the neighboring southwestern province of Aydin.

Dozens of residents are helping with search efforts attended by rescue teams and ambulances.

Another helicopter, a plane and teams of gendarmerie and forestry regional directorate are still working to extinguish the fire that broke out in the Cine district of Aydin on Wednesday.

The cause of the crash that downed the helicopter minutes after collecting water is still unknown.