TEHRAN – Seven Iranians were killed in a helicopter crash in Hashemabad, Amol, northern Mazandaran Province, at about 6 (0230 GMT) Friday morning.

The Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) spokesman Reza Ja’farzadeh told the MNA the chopper was dispatched by the Mountaineering Federation to supply the third shelter on Iran’s highest peak, the 5,671m Mt. Damavand.

A team has been sent to the crash site, said the official, who added it is too soon to announce the reason behind the incident.

Behzad Purmohammadi, the head of provincial Disasters Headquarters, however, said the helicopter was heavily loaded with iron beams and other equipment.