At least 16 people were killed in the crash of a US military transportation helicopter in southern Afghanistan Wednesday afternoon, the US military said in Kabul.

"Sixteen people have now been confirmed dead in the crash of a Coalition CH-47 transport helicopter near Ghazni on Wednesday afternoon," a statement released by US-led coalition said in the evening.

"Eighteen people, including crew members and passengers, were listed on the flight manifest, two remain unaccounted for," it added.

But the US military refused to identify the victims at present.

The Chinook, that went down near Khudaidad village in Ghazni province, 160 km southeast of Kabul, on a routine mission was one of two Chinooks returning to Bagram Airfield. The second helicopter returned to the base safely.

"Initial reports indicate that the cause of the crash was severe weather," an earlier statement said.

Recovery operations have ended for the night due to darkness and weather conditions.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2005)