(Updates death toll to 8)

STRASBOURG, France, Oct 23 (Reuters) - An Italian army helicopter crashed in a field in north eastern France on Thursday, killing all eight people on board, the Italian air force said.

The air force press office in Rome said the helicopter had been taking part in military exercises in northern France and Belgium at the time of the crash.

"It caught fire at 4.30 p.m. local time in open countryside not far from Strasbourg. It was completely destroyed. We still don't know the causes," the military spokesman said. (Reporting by Thoman Calinon and Rome bureau; writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Charles Dick)

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