Moscow  - At least seven people were killed in a crash in the Altai mountains of a helicopter that was flying high-ranking Russian officials on a hunting outing, reported the government of the Russian Republic of Altai on Sunday.

The report cited by Interfax news agnecy stated that among those killed in the craft owned by Russian gas monopoly Gazprom was Alexander Kossopkin, the country's presidential representative in the Duma (parliament).

Previous reports of eight dead and three survivors were revised to seven dead when a fourth person was found injured. A co-pilot was among the survivors.

The wreck of the Mi-171 helicopter was found after a three-day search, the Civil Defence Ministry reported. The country's state's attorney office was initiating an investigation on whether there were breaches of safety regulations.

According to the survivors cited by the Itar-Tass news gency, the problem with the craft's engine was thought to bethe source of the crash. dpa