Pakistan’s MI-17 Helicopter Crashes Killing Foreign Ambassadors

A Pakistan military helicopter, MI-17 which was carrying diplomats to the launch of projects in northern Pakistan crashed on Friday.

The military helicopter crashed during an emergency landing in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan territory killing ambassadors of Norway and the Philippines and the wives of the ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia, various media reported Friday.

It was one of three helicopters carrying foreign diplomats for the inauguration of a chairlift project built by the air force for tourists.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was travelling to the mountainous northern region of Gilgit on a separate aircraft when the accident happened. He returned to Islamabad, his office said.

Military spokesman Asim Bajwa posted on twitter that there were 11 foreigners and six Pakistanis were on board when it crashed. The ambassadors of Poland and the Netherlands were among the injured.

Pakistan Army Aviation Corp has over 100 Mil MI-17 transport helicopters, which is designed for improved capabilities at high altitudes and in hot weather conditions.