Crash in Africa kills 4 CNPC employees

Beijing (CNS) -- A French helicopter rented by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has crashed into the deserts of the Republic of Niger, killing four CNPC employees, as well as two French helicopter crew members, announced the Chinese energy giant on Tuesday.

The aircraft lost contact with the control center on its way from Agadem to CNPC's working site in Tenere. The wreckage was found eight kilometers from the site at 11:40 a.m., Sunday, local time.

CNPC launched an emergency plan soon after contact with the crew was lost. Reports were delivered to the Chinese Embassy in Niger, the Nigerien government and army, as well as the French Embassy in Niger, for rescue assistance. Rescue efforts did not immediately find the downed craft.

The Nigerien government has formed a special team to investigate the accident. It was reported that the Chinese Embassy initially assumed the tragedy was caused by a mechanical failure.