An Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashed, killing three people, including two pilots and an aircrew diver.

Dramatic footage shows a cloud of thick black smoke rising from the burning Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) in Gujarat on Sunday, January 5.

The aircraft reportedly caught fire after crashing near the runway while attempting to land at the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbandar.

Officials confirmed the helicopter experienced technical difficulties.

The Defence Ministry stated: 'An ALH MK-III helicopter of Indian Coast Guard met with an accident at Porbandar airport runway in Gujarat at about 1215 hours on January 5.

'The ICG helicopter, with two pilots and one aircrew diver, was on a routine training sortie.'

Porbandar Superintendent of Police Bhagirathsinh Jadeja said the three victims were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, suffering severe burns.

Kamala Baug police station's inspector Rajesh Kanmiya added: 'While two of them were declared dead, one was alive when brought to the hospital and died later.'

Police said that an investigation is currently underway.

The Indian Coast Guard is a maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue agency with jurisdiction in India's territorial waters.