Ljubljana, 6 November - The Slovenian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday evening that a four-member Slovenian family died in a helicopter crash in southern Italy after commercial broadcaster POP TV reported that its team member, technical director of media company Pro Plus, Boštjan Rigler, and his family were the victims.

The ministry said the Slovenian Embassy in Rome would provide all the necessary assistance in the face of the tragedy and expressed condolences to the relatives.

The chopper was carrying the four Slovenian passengers, a doctor returning home from work, and two pilots, from the Tremiti Islands to the mainland in poor weather and poor visibility.

The helicopter, which provides regular passenger transport services between the islands and the mainland, took off for Foggia, some 60 kilometres south, on Saturday morning.

It disappeared from the radar when flying over land, between the towns of Apricena and San Severo. The search and rescue mission included firefighters, the carabinieri and the military, including a military chopper.

The wreckage was found just before 2pm yesterday, but no survivors.

Radio Slovenija reported that the most probable causes of the accident were a technical problem and poor weather conditions.

A day of mourning for the victims has been declared in San Severo for today and in Apricena for Monday, web portal 24ur.com reported.

The family from Ljubljana arrived on the Tremiti Islands in the Adriatic Sea on Friday and was due back in Foggia the same evening, but the flight was delayed because of poor weather.

The investigation is ongoing.