A private helicopter crash in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan on Friday left four people dead and three others injured.

The helicopter was en route between two towns in the restive North Caucasus region when it went down near the Caspian Sea coast. According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, the aircraft struck an unoccupied private house upon impact, completely destroying the building and igniting a large fire.

Emergency response teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene and successfully contained the resulting blaze, preventing it from spreading further.

Initial reports from Russia’s state-run TASS news agency identified the aircraft as a Ka-226 transport helicopter operated by the Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant. Officials later clarified that, contrary to earlier speculation, the helicopter was not carrying any tourists at the time of the accident.

In response to the tragedy, Russian investigative authorities have opened a criminal case on charges of violating aviation safety rules. While initial findings point to a potential technical failure as the cause, investigators have stated that all possible factors are being thoroughly examined.

The incident is the latest in a string of recent air accidents across Russia, raising fresh concerns about the maintenance and safety oversight of the country's regional aviation fleets and prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols. (ILKHA)