What led to crash of Pakistan’s MI-17 chopper carrying out flood aid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

As monsoon rains wreak havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the northwestern regions of Pakistan, a helicopter involved in relief operations crashed on Friday, killing all five persons onboard.

According to Pakistani authorities, the helicopter was deployed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to deliver relief materials in flood-hit areas in Bajaur. However, authorities lost contact with the helicopter a few moments after it took off. The chopper crashed in Mohmand district, and rescue personnel were dispatched to the crash site immediately.

"An MI-17 helicopter of the provincial government, carrying relief supplies to the rain-affected areas of Bajaur, crashed due to bad weather. In this tragic incident, five crew members, including two pilots, were martyred," Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, said in a statement. 

The provincial government will observe a day of mourning on Saturday, and their bodies will be laid to rest with full state honours. "The helicopter crew sacrificed their lives to save others. These are our true heroes, whose sacrifice will be written in golden letters in history," the chief minister said.

Soon after the crash, the government involved another helicopter for relief operations. While authorities suspect inclement weather caused the crash, it remains to be determined whether there were other factors as well, they said. According to authorities, MI-17 helicopters were deployed to carry out relief and rescue operations in remote areas.

The monsoon rains lashed the province, triggering flash floods and landslides, mainly in Bajaur and Buner districts on Friday. According to authorities, 176 people died and hundreds have been reported missing in the flash floods on Friday.