Four people killed after helicopter crashes on UAE's Jebel Jais

Four crew members lost their lives after rescue helicopter crashed on Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah on Saturday. It hit a zipline before smashing and blasting into flames. 

Three Emiratis onboard have been identified as Humaid Al Zaabi, Saqr Al Yamahi and Jassim Al Tunaiji and another one South African paramedic named Mark T. Al Zaabi, who hailed from Al Salehia zone in Ras Al Khaimah, was driving the rescue team.

According to Eyewitnesses said the tragic helicopter crashed took place around 6.30pm on Saturday.

“The chopper went into a spin all of a sudden and then crashed into the mountain.It burst into a wad of flame," Salam Naif, an observer said.

The RAK Tourism Development Authority said zipline visitors were safe. "The appalling chopper impact occurred 50 minutes after the conclusion of the zipline," it said.

Authorities are surveying if any of the ziplines have been harmed because of the mishap. Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE, is home to the world's longest zipline