A helicopter belonging to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, which was earlier reported missing, has crashed near Chungi Banda, killing all three people on board.
Provincial authorities confirmed the crash on Friday, saying the MI-17 helicopter was on a relief mission to the flood hit Salarzai area of Bajaur when it lost contact. The aircraft was delivering aid as part of rescue operations when bad weather caused communication to break down in the airspace over Mohmand district.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah earlier said the helicopter went missing while travelling to Bajaur, losing contact in the Mamund area.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said all efforts were made to re-establish contact with the helicopter, and rescue teams were sent immediately to search the area. He confirmed that three people were martyred in the crash.
The provincial government’s second helicopter was already engaged in rescue work in Buner district at the time of the incident.
Twelve people trapped in the Swat River at Munda in Charsadda were rescued in time on Friday.
According to Charsadda’s Deputy Commissioner, the group was stranded on a sandbank in the middle of the river.
In Mingora city, Tehsil Charbagh, Khwazakhela, Madian, Kabal, Barikot, Mingora Khwar, and Hazara Khwar, water levels have risen sharply. Streets in Mingora and nearby areas are flooded, and water has entered homes in different localities, forcing many residents to leave their houses.
Meanwhile, in Bajaur, a cloudburst and landslides have caused severe destruction. At least 16 people have died, and several others are still missing. Rescue teams, with the help of locals, have recovered 16 bodies and rescued three injured people from the debris and floodwaters. The injured were given first aid and shifted to hospital.
