The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is among 18 people who have died after a helicopter crashed by a nursery in a Kyiv suburb, authorities have said.
Images from the scene show huge flames and a plume of smoke going into the sky in Brovary, which is located northeast of the capital.
Minister Denys Monastyrskyi and First Deputy Minister Yevhen Yenin were among those killed in the incident, as well as three children.
Kyiv regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba said 29 people were also hurt in the crash, including 15 children.
He added: “At the time of the tragedy, children and staff of the institution were in the kindergarten.
“Everyone has now been evacuated,”
Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine said: “Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrskyi, his 1st deputy Yevhen Yenin and Ministry’s state secretary Yurii Lubkovych died today in Kyiv region.
“My colleagues, my friends. What a tragic loss. Deepest condolences to their families.”
There has been no immediate information about what caused the crash.
Denys Monastyrskyi pictured previously with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
