Helicopter crashes in Vietnamese capital's west

HANOI - A military helicopter crashed in the west of Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Monday morning, local Tien Phong online newspaper reported.

Casualties occurred, according to the report.

Approximately at 7:45 local time (0045 GMT) on Monday, a helicopter crashed in Hoa Lac of Thach That District. A local official named Nguyen Manh Hong, vice chairman of the district people's committee, told Tien Phong, that rescue, fire fighting and medical teams are approaching the scene to join rescue.

Phi Quoc Tuan, Vietnam's Capital Military Region Commander on telephone told reporters at 9:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) that the accident occurred during training.

A local official, requiring anonymity, told Xinhua, that seven local people were possibly killed in the crash. However, the casualties are yet to be confirmed.

Hoa Lac Air Base in the west of Hanoi is stationed with Mi helicopters by Air Force of Vietnam People's Army's 916th Helicopter Regiment under 371st Air Force Division, according to online encyclopedia source.