DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Oil companies say a helicopter carrying contractors has crashed into an oil-drilling platform off the coast of Dubai, killing seven people.

Petrofac and Dubai Petroleum say the helicopter operated by Dubai-based Aerogulf Services struck the deck of the Maersk rig during takeoff at about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday. A fire then broke out aboard the rig, which is located in the Rashid field about 40 miles (70 kilometers) offshore.

The helicopter was carrying two crew and five contractors. The victims' employers and their nationalities were not immediately clear, although none of those killed was a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.

The companies say the victims' families are being informed.