French Helicopter Crash in Antarctica, Bodies Spotted

French officials say rescuers flying over the scene of a French helicopter crash in Antarctica have spotted three bodies.

The helicopter was carrying four French nationals from the L’Astrolabe research vessel to a research station on land. It crashed Thursday during rough weather.

According to the French state authority in charge of overseas territories, debris from the crash is scattered over an area of some 150 meters.

The helicopter is one of two that connect the L’Astrolabe to the Antarctic Dumont d’Urville research station. The aircraft sent a distress signal Thursday night while about 100 kilometers from the base station.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 and Australian Air Force craft flew over the site Friday, with the Australian plane dropping emergency supplies for any possible survivors.

The downed helicopter was carrying the pilot, a mechanic and two staff from the French Polar Institute – Paul-Emile Victor.

Continued bad weather prevented the second helicopter from scouting the scene of the crash to check for survivors.

Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.