A military chopper has crashed in eastern Uzbekistan, leaving nine people, including six soldiers, dead.
The Uzbek Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that the Mi-171 chopper crashed in Fergana region on Tuesday.
"As a result of the accident three crew members and six members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan on board were killed," the state-owned Uzreport website reported, citing the Defense Ministry.
According to the report, the ministry has set up a special state commission to investigate the incident.
The news comes as Uzbekistan is in the middle of a political transition following the death of long-time leader Islam Karimov in early September.
Uzbekistan's parliament has approved Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev as acting president until an election is held later this year.
Analysts predict that Mirziyoyev, who had been the premier since late 2003, will be the winner in the presidential vote.