Taiwan helicopter crashes during typhoon rescue

An official says a helicopter with three crew aboard has crashed into a mountain while on a mission to rescue villagers whose homes were destroyed by a powerful typhoon.

Disaster official Chen Chung-hsien says the helicopter crashed Tuesday in bad weather while flying to Wutai, a mountainous region in southern Pingtung county. TV stations earlier erroneously reported six people were aboard.

Chen says wreckage of the helicopter was spotted on a riverbed but it was unclear if there were survivors.

Mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot inundated several remote villages on Friday and Saturday.

Authorities say at least 41 people were confirmed dead and 60 were missing. Officials said another 100 residents may have been buried alive in Shiao Lin village.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwanese TV stations say a helicopter carrying five crew members and a nurse has crashed into a mountain while on a mission to rescue villagers whose homes were destroyed by a powerful typhoon.

The reports say the helicopter was spotted lying in a valley after crashing Tuesday.

They say the helicopter crashed while flying to Sandimen, a mountainous region in southern Pingtung county.

Mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot inundated several remote villages in southern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday.

Authorities say at least 41 people were confirmed dead and 60 were missing. Officials said another 100 residents may have been buried alive in Shiao Lin village.