New Delhi, Feb. 24 -- A Pawan Hans helicopter carrying seven people, including two crew members, crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the North and Middle Andaman district on Tuesday morning, prompting an emergency rescue operation in which all on board were saved, officials said.

The aircraft ditched into the sea shortly before it was due to land, following what authorities described as a suspected technical malfunction. All five passengers and two crew members were pulled from the water and admitted to hospital for treatment.

The accident occurred at around 9.30 am local time. According to officials, the helicopter had taken off earlier in the morning as part of a scheduled inter-island service.

"The helicopter took off from Sri V...