Friday, May 8, 2015

Pakistan helicopter crash kills foreign envoys

Earlier today (Friday, May 8, 2015) Pakistani military helicopter crashed in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan territory in Northern Pakistan. Seven people were killed including Philippine and Norwegian ambassadors. The Polish and Dutch ambassadors were injured in the crash. The helicopter was one of three carrying foreign diplomats to an inauguration ceremony of a ski chairlift, built in the breathtaking resort of Naltar in the Pakistani-administered Kashmir region. The ski chairlift was done six months ago but the inauguration ceremony was postponed due to the prime minister's attention being elsewhere. The Pakistani Taliban reportedly claim they shot down the helicopter intending to kill the prime minister but the Pakistani government says it was an accident. The Pakistani Prime Minister was attending the inauguration but his helicopter turned back when reports of the crash were received. This is the fifth crash of this type of Pakistani military helicopter since 2004.

-Cori Elsesser
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32653359

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