First Minister Alex Salmond has described the North Sea helicopter crash as "an overwhelming tragedy".

Speaking after the Super Puma aircraft went down off the coast of Fraserburgh on Wednesday, the First Minister said the incident showed the "human cost" of extracting oil and gas.

Mr Salmond told STV News: "It's an overwhelming tragedy. We know that there are at least eight people confirmed dead. The outlook for the remaining crew and passengers is not good at all, so I think we have to face the reality that we have lost 16 people in a single incident in the North Sea.

"Across Scotland there will be great sadness. This was a major incident. It was a significant crash; it wasn't a ditching. Obviously there will have to be a full investigation."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown also added his condolences, saying: “This has been a tragic day in the North Sea and my thoughts are with the relatives of those who have lost their lives in this crash.”

The First Minister's Gordon constituency neighbours the area where the craft went down.

Mr Salmond said: "I'm very familiar with this platform and many of the workers who have been on the platform in the past have been my constituents.

"There's huge wealth in the oil and gas fields but there's also a huge human cost in extracting it."

The Queen has sent a private letter of condolence to the families of the victims of the helicopter disaster which has so far claimed eight lives.

The words of comfort will be conveyed by the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen to the families of lost loved ones, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman confirmed.

Labour's leader in the Scottish Parliament Iain Gray expressed his sympathy for the loved-ones of those killed.

He said: "This is a bleak day for Scotland and especially those in the oil and gas industry. There are many questions that need to be answered as it is the second incident involving a North Sea helicopter in recent weeks. But right now our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost or missing."

Two North East MPs also added their condolences. Moray MP Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said: “This is a desperate tragedy, and our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost. I am certain that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and local agencies will already be at work to establish the cause of this dreadful incident.”

His colleague Mike Weir, who represents Angus, said: “All our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones in this awful tragedy. Everyone in the North-east knows someone who works offshore and the whole community will be shaken by this terrible accident.”

Anyone concerned for their relatives should call the BP emergency hotline on 01224 836479.

NORTH SEA CRASH:

Eight confirmed dead in North Sea helicopter crash

Fatal helicopter crash occured only six weeks after similar incident