Seven South Korean soldiers killed in helicopter crash

SEOUL, Aug 14 (AFP) - Seven South Korean soldiers were killed when a military helicopter crashed into a rice field in the southern town of Yeongcheon Thursday, police said.

The 12-seater UH-1H army helicopter was carrying seven soldiers, including its pilot, said Chung Ju-Yong of Yeongcheon police.

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"All seven aboard were killed," the officer said, adding the bodies were sent to an army hospital near Yeongcheon, 340 kilometers (210 miles) south of Seoul.

There were no casualties on the ground, according to initial reports from police and firefighters, she said.

The helicopter had been heading back to base from a training session.

Military authorities said an investigation was underway.

jkw/nj

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