2 killed after helicopter crashes into barge on Mississippi River

NEW YORK, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the upper reaches of the Mississippi River between the U.S. midwestern states of Illinois and Missouri on Thursday.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers said the helicopter had workers on board trying to do work on power lines near aviation warning markers. The aircraft reportedly touched the power line, and attempted to land on the barge before bursting into flames.

A bridge linking Missouri and Illinois has been temporarily closed to all traffic due to the incident, with no reopening time given, local media quoted Illinois State Police.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the Upper Mississippi River is closed to vessel traffic in the area while the investigation is ongoing. ■