'Civilian' helicopter crashes in Helmand province

A transport helicopter has crashed in southern Afghanistan, officials said today.

Fazel Haq, the top official in the Sangin district of Helmand province, said the logistics helicopter crashed around daybreak outside the town of Sangin.

US military spokeswoman Lieutenant Commander Christine Sidenstricker said the helicopter was civilian, not military, but it was not immediately clear who the aircraft belonged to.

Haq said it was not clear if there were any casualties. The helicopter caught fire.

White transport helicopters are used by private contractors and organisations such as the UN and the US Embassy, but UN and US officials said the helicopter did not appear to be one of theirs.