Shillong: All 10 passengers, including a Meghalaya Cabinet Minister, two legislators and a former deputy speaker were killed in a helicopter crash minutes before landing at Shillong this afternoon (Sep 22, 2004), according Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang.

The victims included the State's cabinet Minister for Community and Rural Development Cyprian R Sangma, NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) State unit vice-president and MLA Ardhendu Chaudhuri, legislator Heltone Marak and former deputy speaker Aira Marak, he said.

The Pawan Hans helicopter of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation crashed at 01:25 pm in the Kyrdem Kolai area of Ri-Bhoi district about 40 km from Shillong, when it was flying back to Shillong from West Garo Hills district town of Tura via Guwahati, Lapang said.

The Chief Minister said that the crash occurred because of poor visibility.

The helicopter which took off from Guwahati at 1:00 hrs (IST) was to land at Shillong after a 25-minute flight.

Because of poor visibility and bad weather, the helicopter was directed to return to Guwahati when it lost contact at 1.20 hrs (IST) said.

The other victims were district council member from West Garo Hills Riksen Sangma, a prominent businessman S Marbaniang, a Government official, two crew members and another person who was yet to be identified.

A senior officer of the Transport Department, under which MTC falls, quoted the villagers of the nearby areas saying they heard a loud sound and saw the helicopter crash.

Earlier, senior officials of the Government said a search and rescue team comprising senior civil and police officials of both Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills districts rushed to the spot.

The Government also requested the Indian Air Force to carry out a sortie over the crash site, but it could not land because of bad weather, they said.

The Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues and parliamentary secretaries expressed deep shock and sadness at the 'unexpected death' of the political leaders and other citizens of the State.

Lapang expressed condolence for bereaved family members.