A military helicopter carrying a diplomatic delegation has crashed in northern Pakistan killing seven people, including the ambassadors of Norway and the Philippines.
A military helicopter carrying a diplomatic delegation has crashed in northern Pakistan killing seven people, including the ambassadors of Norway and the Philippines.
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The wives of ambassadors from Indonesia and Malaysia were also among those who died in the crash along with two pilots and a crew member. The Dutch and Polish ambassadors were among ten injured.
Norway mourned the loss of ambassador Leif Larsen.
News Ambassador Leif H Larsen has died in Pakistan received with great sorrow. Thoughts are with close family and friends - FM @borgebrende
— Norway MFA (@NorwayMFA) May 8, 2015
Deeply saddened by the death of our good friend and colleague ambassador Leif H. Larsen at the #HelicopterCrash in #Pakistan. We miss him.
— NorwayNATO (@NorwayNATO) May 8, 2015
The Pakistani air force said a technical glitch caused the accident and that a fire which erupted after the crash led to the high number of casualties.
The helicopter had been en route to the opening of a tourism project in the Gilgit region when it crashed into a school during an emergency landing.
Though the Pakistani Taliban claimed they shot down the aircraft, eyewitnesses reported nothing to indicate any shots were fired.