MI8 helicopter explodes on Phu Quy Island, 8 injured.

At just after 9 a.m. this morning, an MI-8 helicopter carrying eight soldiers crashed from a height of 9-10 meters in the runway area of ​​Phu Quy Island, Binh Thuan province.

The helicopter crashed in the military airfield area. Photo: Dang Duong.

Speaking to VnExpress, Mr. Ta Minh Nhut, Vice Chairman of Phu Quy district, said that initially, three soldiers were reported injured and taken to the district hospital. There were eight people on board the plane at the time of the accident.

"The plane crashed when it was about ten meters above the ground, within the military airport area," Mr. Nhut said.

The helicopter lies upside down, its tail broken. Photo: Dang Duong.

At the scene, the MI-8 helicopter was lying upside down, its tail section broken off and scattered about 30 meters away. Debris from the helicopter flew into nearby houses, shattering windows and damaging walls.

Authorities are sealing off the area while awaiting investigation and action from the Ministry of Defense.

The tail of the plane was flung about 30 meters away. Photo: Hong Son

Many pieces of the plane were scattered around, shattering the windows of nearby houses.

Parts of the MI8 were scattered hundreds of meters away.

Firefighters dispatched fire trucks to the scene. According to authorities, no one was seriously injured in the incident.

The Mil Mi-8 (NATO designation Hip) is a twin-engine transport and combat helicopter that entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1967. The Mi-8 has been used in over 50 countries, including Vietnam, with an estimated 80 still in active service. Currently, the Vietnamese Air Force is gradually replacing the Mi-8 with the more modern Mi-17 version.

(Synthetic)