Indian helicopter makes emergency landing on rooftop

There was no open space on the ground for the pilots to land

A helicopter has made an emergency landing on the roof of an apartment building in a busy residential area of the Indian city of Bangalore.

Reports say the helicopter was on a routine training flight when its engine failed, forcing the aircraft down.

The five-storey building was evacuated with no injuries reported and both the pilot and co-pilot are safe, an official said.

With its rotor damaged, officials are looking at how to move the helicopter.

The helicopter belongs to the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (Hal) and was flying out of a nearby airport.

Residents said they heard a loud noise when the helicopter began its descent and everyone gathered on rooftops to watch.

Without a clear space on the ground to land, the pilots opted to land on the roof of the Maitree Apartments building, Hal chief test pilot Wing Commander Unni Pillai told the TV channel Times Now.

The pilots have been taken to a hospital for a check-up.

"The helicopter has sustained minor damages to its rotor blades," a police officer said.

Officials say the helicopter will either have to be dismantled or airlifted.

The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has reportedly ordered an investigation and a team is on its way to the site.