Around the World: United Kingdom

Chopper down, 16 missing

A helicopter carrying 16 people from an offshore oil rig crashed into the North Sea off the northeast coast of Scotland yesterday and a rescue operation was under way, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

Oil company BP said the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and two crew from its Miller platform some 270 km offshore. It ditched into the sea around 56 km off the coast of Crimond between Fraserburgh and Peterhead.