Search under way for missing helicopter

NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A search was under way in Siberia Saturday for a helicopter that disappeared a day earlier, a rescue service spokesman in the Russia's Altai Republic said.

The unidentified official said contact with the Mi-8 helicopter was lost early Friday while the aircraft was traveling through mountainous terrain in southern Siberia, RIA Novosti reported.

The terrain around the last reported position of the helicopter, which is owned by the Gazpromavia airline, has posed problems for the search efforts.

A total of two helicopters and four airplanes are attempting to find any sign of the missing aircraft, which had a crew of three and eight passengers on board.