QUITO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- An Ecuadorian Army helicopter had an accident Friday on its way from Quito to the coastal city of Portoviejo, in the province of Manabi, a communique from the army said.

    The five crew members of the Gazella E-342 helicopter died in the crash which belonged to the Air Force Brigade of the Ecuadorian Army.

    According to the communique, the aircraft fell between the town of Los Bancos and Pedro Vicente Maldonado, northeast of Quito.

    The causes of the accident are still unknown.

    Among the casualties are captain Jorge Grijalva, lieutentants Marco Alarcon and Marcelo Baldeon and sergeants Segundo Velasquez and Edgar Aimacala.

    The aircraft took-off from Quito at 10:30 local time (1530 GMT).

    The army regrets the accident and ordered that investigations begin to determine the causes of the accident.