Ahmedabad: Eight IAF personnel were killed today in a major mid-air crash between two Mi-17 helicopters over Sarmat village near Jamnagar air base in Gujarat.

The fate of the ninth person is being checked, said Group Captain M G Mehta.

The two choppers had taken off at noon from Jamnagar air base on routine sorties, when the two collided in mid-air into a ball of fire and fell on the ground.

Gr Captain M G Mehta told  that confirmation has been received about the eight fatalities, while the fate of the ninth person, supposed to be from ground control, is yet to be confirmed.

Details are awaited. Air force rescue personnel have rushed to the scene of crash.

PTI adds from Jamnagar:  Residents of Sarmat village, who witnessed the mid-air collision, said the two choppers collided soon after take off and crashed near their village, 15 km from Jamnagar city.

Indian Air Force officers, police officials and Jamnagar municipal corporation fire brigade have reached the spot and are assessing the situation.

An IAF spokesperson in New Delhi said that a court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the reasons behind the crash.