By Our Correspondent
PESHAWER: At least six people were killed and eight critically injured when a chartered helicopter carrying 14 passengers crashed in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
According to official sources, the MI-8 helicopter, chartered by Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL), an oil exploration and production firm, crashed near the Shewa oil field due to a technical fault. The helicopter was carrying 14 passengers, including three foreign pilots when the accident occurred. Six people were killed on the spot, while eight sustained severe injuries.
MPCL clarified that the incident was not linked to any security threats or acts of terrorism in the region. The injured have been swiftly transported to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that the Russian-made helicopter was leased through Princely Jet from a Russian company under a six-month air operator certificate. MPCL had employed the helicopter to facilitate exploration activities in remote areas for oil and gas.
Authorities are investigating the crash to determine the exact cause of the technical malfunction.
