BUCHAREST: Six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian were killed Monday when a military helicopter crashed in central Romania, local media said, quoting defence sources.

The defence ministry said six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian were on board but did not confirm their deaths.

"One Romanian and two Israeli helicopters are taking part in the search and rescue operation," defence ministry spokesman Constantin Spanu said.

Several dozen soldiers were also searching the area, he added.

Witnesses quoted by Antena 3 television channel said they had seen three helicopters flying above the mountain region around the city of Brasov.

"Smoke was coming out of one of the helicopters which started losing altitude," one of the witnesses was quoted as saying.

The helicopter was taking part in a joint mililtary drill, Blue Sky 2010.

On July 18, the defence ministry announced an Israeli CH-53 helicopter participating in this exercice had made a crash landing after "sensing a failure aboard."

"Once the failure was fixed, the helicopter returned safely to the Boboc airbase," the ministry said.

Initial media reports had said US military staff were on board the helicopter that crashed Monday.