MI-17 Helicopter Crashes in Pakistan Flood Relief Effort, 5 Dead
An MI-17 helicopter belonging to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government crashed on Friday while engaged in a rescue and relief mission in flood-stricken northern Pakistan. The crash resulted in the deaths of all five crew members on board, including two pilots.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed that severe weather conditions led to the crash in the Pandiyali area of Mohmand district. The helicopter was transporting relief supplies to Bajaur district, one of the regions most severely impacted by the monsoon disaster.
Gandapur stated, "An MI-17 helicopter of the provincial government, carrying relief goods for rain-affected areas of Bajaur, crashed in the Pandiyali area of Mohmand district due to bad weather. Five crew members, including two pilots, were killed."
Monsoon Rains Worsen Crisis in Northern Pakistan
This incident occurs amid continuing monsoon rains that have unleashed destructive landslides and flash floods throughout northern Pakistan. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that at least 164 people have died in the last 24 hours, with 150 of these fatalities occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Emergency relief operations have been initiated by authorities, yet accessing many remote mountainous regions remains difficult due to damaged roads and persistent weather challenges.
