Hanoi: At least 16 people were killed on Monday when a military helicopter crashed near Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi.

According to officials, the crash occurred at 7.45 a.m in Hoa Lac of Thach That district, Xinhua reported. "It is quite normal to see helicopter hovering above here because there is a military airbase located two kms away. However, it was strange as the helicopter kept flying around," an eyewitness said.