HO CHI MINH CITY, March 26-- At least three Vietnamese soldiers were injured Thursday when a military helicopter fell down over the runway on Phu Quy island, central Binh Thuan province, about 1,150 south of capital Hanoi.

About 9 a.m. local time on Thursday, a MI-8 helicopter fell down from the height of 9-10 meters over the runway located in the military zone on Phu Quy island, causing the injury of three soldiers. They were immediately transported to hospital, local VNExpress quoted Ta Minh Nhat, deputy chairman of Phu Quy district, as saying.

There are eight people aboard the helicopter when the accident occurred, said the district official, adding that the helicopter' s tail was broken and blew 30 meters away, while debris broke glass windows and walls of houses nearby.