Eight members of the defense personnel had breathed their last on Thursday following the most unfortunate accident of the MI-17 choppers in mid air moments after they took off at the Samrat Village airbase in Gujarat, according to the IAF officials.

Eyewitnesses said that the accident happened while the two choppers collided immediately after take off and crashed near the village, 15 kms from Jamnagar city.

Both the helicopters were on training sortie. SP of Jamnagar, Harikrishna Patel said that at least eight persons died in the incident.

Indian Air Force officers, police officials and Jamnagar municipal corporation fire brigade have arived at the location of the accident and are evaluating the situation.

A court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the reasons behind the crash according to a spokesperson in IAF in New Delhi.

(AW- Anil)