Helicopter crashes during typhoon rescue bid

A helicopter carrying five crew members and a nurse crashed into a mountain while on a mission to rescue villagers whose homes were destroyed by a typhoon, Taiwanese TV stations said today.

Reports said the aircraft wreckage was spotted in a valley.

They said the helicopter came down while flying to Sandimen, a mountainous region in southern Pingtung county.

Mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot inundated several remote villages in southern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday.

Authorities said at least 41 people were confirmed dead and 60 were missing.

Officials said another 100 residents may have been buried alive by a mudslide in Shiao Lin village.