The helicopter crashed shortly after taking off, killing the pilot and two passengers, the officials said.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Images broadcast on local media showed what appeared to be the crash site on an arid hillside, where a ball of flame created a column of dark smoke.

The couple killed in a helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos were British nationals and the pilot was Greek, police said on Tuesday.

The helicopter crashed on an arid hillside shortly after takeoff on Monday evening and the cause of the crash is not yet known.