Pakistan Helicopter Crash Kills Norwegian, Philippine Ambassadors

An archive images shows a coffin being carried from a Pakistani Army helicopter after arriving in Gilgit in June 2013. The ambassadors of Norway and the Philippines to Pakistan were killed when a military helicopter crashed into a school in the north of the country on Friday. EPA/ZAFAR ABBAS

ISLAMABAD (DPA) — The Norwegian and Philippine ambassadors to Pakistan were killed when a military helicopter crashed into a school in the north of the country Friday, an army spokesman said.

The wives of the Indonesian and Malaysian ambassadors also died, along with the two pilots, Major General Saleem Bajwa said.

The Dutch and Polish ambassadors were among the injured.

Three MI 17 helicopters were flying Western diplomats to Gilgit-Baltistan region in northern Pakistan where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was to address a ceremony,

Advertisement

"Two helicopters landed safely but the third one crashed and caught fire," Bajwa said

Premier Sharif was in a plane at the time of the crash and diverted back to Islamabad safely, Geo television reported.

Advertisement

At least 11 foreigners and six Pakistanis were onboard the ill-fated helicopter. Most of the others were injured, Bajwa said.

(Reporting by Zia Khan)

 
For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish