A helicopter crashed on a highway in the outskirts of Istanbul on Friday, after apparently hitting a television tower in dense fog, reports said. At least five people were killed, the governor said. 

 

The helicopter, belonging to the Eczacibasi group of companies, was carrying seven people on board: the company’s four Russian guests, a Turkish official and two pilots. 

 

Gov. Vasip Sahin said the helicopter crashed in Istanbul’s Buyukcekmece district after taking off from Itsanbul’s Ataturk Airport, adding that the cause of the crash is under investigation.

 

Eyewitness Fikret Karatekin, a taxi driver, told CNN-Turk television by telephone that the helicopter slammed into the tower before crashing on the highway.

 

“It hit the tower and crashed by spinning,” he said, adding that the highway had been closed down.

 

The helicopter broke into pieces that were scattered on the highway as well as a green area on the side of the road. Video footage from the site showed thick black smoke rising from the highway. 
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