A tragic helicopter crash in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to eight others, as reported by a security official on Saturday. The chartered flight, carrying employees of an oil company, experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff, reported AP.
Initially, the death toll was reported as seven, with three Russian nationals—two pilots and a crew member—believed to be on board.However, the official did not confirm whether they were among the deceased. This information was shared under the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on media communications.
The crash occurred during an emergency landing attempt, during which the tail rotor struck the ground. Preliminary assessments indicate no signs of sabotage involving the Mi-8 helicopter. The injured individuals have been transported to a military hospital in the town of Thal for treatment.
“A technical fault occurred in the helicopter while taking off,” the official stated. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is currently underway.
The crash site is located in Shewa, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) southwest of Peshawar, the provincial capital.