National mourning has been declared in Serbia after a rescue helicopter crashed while carrying a newborn baby for medical treatment, with the loss of all seven aboard



The helicopter came down in heavy fog while trying to land in the capital Belgrade on Friday night.

Four crew members and two medical workers were also on the aircraft.

As mourning was declared, Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic said the army had lost its best helicopter pilots.

The helicopter had been called out after an ambulance carrying the baby was blocked by a mudslide.

The five-day-old baby was being rushed for treatment after developing life-threatening respiratory problems.

Officials say the control tower at Belgrade airport lost contact with the helicopter while it awaited clearance to land.

It had failed in two attempts to land to poor visibility, helicopter unit commander Predrag Bandic told reporters.

According to the defence minister, the Russian-made MI-17 transport helicopter was "the best in the Serbian army".

Serbian PM declared Sunday a day of mourning to mark what is the country's worst such accident in two decades.