Rome — The helicopter of a private company with five passengers on board disappeared from radar in southern Italy on Saturday. Rescue workers were searching for the helicopter in the Apricena area near the Puglian city of Foggia, the fire brigade said on Twitter.

A military helicopter also participated in the search operation. According to the officials, the missing aircraft is an A109 - a helicopter used in civil and military aviation.

The Ansa news agency reported that a total of seven people were on board, five passengers and two crew members. The helicopter took off from the Tremiti Islands in the morning.

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