Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashes in Magadan region, two people reported dead.

At least two people are dead after a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the far-east Magadan region of the country on the morning of March 14, Russian officials have said.

The aircraft was reportedly transporting 17 gold mine workers and three crew members when it made a “hard landing” 75 km from the village of Evensk, the Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office said in a post on Telegram.

Initial reports suggest the helicopter suffered from an engine malfunction.

A search and rescue operation was launched and Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case.

Last month another Mi-8 helicopter crashed into Lake Onega in Russia's Karelia Republic after suffering what is also believed to have been an engine malfunction while carrying out a training flight.

The Mi-8 helicopter is a Soviet-era aircraft used most commonly as a transport aircraft by both the Russian military and civilian government departments.