Belgaum copter crash: Vital clues found

Massive land and air combing operations launched over the densely forested Western Ghats slopes near Belgaum to trace the wreckage of the navy's crashed Kamov-28 submarine hunter helicopter have come up with some "vital leads", a navy spokesman said on Monday.

Hunt for the chopper that crashed in inclement weather on August 19, entered the third day on Monday.

• Also read: Chopper crash: Weather hampers rescue efforts

Air force aircraft and helicopters have joined those of navy and coast guard in the hunt in which the naval authorities have pressed into service advanced locating devices and even sniffer dogs to find out the whereabouts of the crew of six on board the helicopter.

According to initial reports, four crew members were feared killed when the helicopter on its way from Naval air station in Dabolim, Goa, to Vishakapatnam crashed at 12:15 pm, about half-an-hour after taking off.

The report of the crash of the helicopter was initially conveyed by one of those on board through his mobile phone. But after the initial help call, the naval authorities have been unable to trace the mobile again.