Rescuers in Canada are searching the freezing waters off Newfoundland for 16 missing people, after a helicopter ditched into the ocean after reporting mechanical problems.

The helicopter was flying to offshore oil platforms when it went down on Thursday. Officials say of the 18 people on board, one person has been rescued and one body has been recovered.

At one point, two life-rafts were spotted in the water, but rescuers later confirmed they were empty. The water temperature of the Atlantic Ocean in the area of the crash was close to zero degrees Celsius.

Rescuers say even if the missing were wearing survival suits, they would only be expected to live for about 24 hours.

The crash comes less than a month after a helicopter ferrying oil workers crashed into the North Sea.

(CCTV March 13, 2009)