8 killed in Ecuador helicopter crash

Five soldiers and three civilians were killed in an Ecuadorian army helicopter crash on Friday, the armed forces said.

The helicopter, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the people affected by floods, crashed at 9:36 a.m. (1436 GMT) in the Tiwino district of Pastaza Province, said the Ecuadorian army in a statement.

"The Ecuadorian army has ordered the immediate establishment of an accident investigation committee to determine the cause of this unfortunate accident, which has caused grief to the armed forces and Ecuadorians," it said.