(VOVworld) –A memorial service was held in Hanoi on Friday for the 18 soldiers who died in the recent tragic helicopter crash.

The service was attended by Party and Government leaders, senior military officials, and the soldiers’ families. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong led a delegation from the Military Commission of the Party Central Committee to pay tribute to the deceased soldiers. He wrote in the book of condolence: “The Vietnamese party, army and people will be forever grateful to the sacrifice of the soldiers who died for national construction and defense. Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh wrote: “The death of the soldiers touched the hearts of the Vietnamese people and their comrades. We admire their handling of the situation to avoid human and property losses on the ground.”

On July 7, a Russian-made MI-171 helicopter on a parachute training mission with 21 people on board went out of control and crash landed in hamlet 11, Thach Hoa commune, Hanoi’s Thach That district. Three injured victims remain in critical condition at the Le Huu Trac National Institute of Burns.