A helicopter carrying India’s defence chief General Bipin Rawat has crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, killing at least four people, according to media reports.

India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati said four people were killed and three others were injured and taken to a hospital. There was no official confirmation of the report.

“An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu,” the Indian Air Force said on Twitter on Wednesday, but did not say whether Rawat, 63, was injured in the accident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was expected to make a statement on the incident in Parliament later on Wednesday.

There was no immediate confirmation of the number of people on the helicopter. News channels showed a flight manifest that displayed the names of nine passengers, including Rawat’s wife and other senior defence officials.

The Press Trust of India news agency said the helicopter was on its way from an Air Force base to the Defence Services Staff College when it crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.