KP Govt Helicopter Crashes During Relief Mission

A day of devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has turned even more tragic, as a government rescue helicopter crashed while on a mission to help victims, killing all three people on board.

Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah confirmed the heartbreaking news. The Mi-17 helicopter was on its way to the flood-ravaged district of Bajaur when it went down in the Sokai area near Chengai Banda. According to the KP Chief Minister, contact with the aircraft was lost during severe and dangerous weather conditions.

Emergency rescue teams have been immediately dispatched to the remote crash site.

This tragedy comes as the province is reeling from catastrophic flash floods. The helicopter was part of a critical relief operation aimed at helping those affected in Bajaur, where the Jabrarai area has been hit particularly hard. The sudden surge of water has swept away entire homes, bridges, and crucial roads, leaving communities devastated and isolated.

The human toll from the floods themselves is already staggering. Across the region, officials have confirmed that 21 bodies have been recovered from various flood-related incidents. The search is still desperately underway for seven other people who are reported missing.

Despite the tragic loss of the helicopter and its crew, officials have stated that another government helicopter is continuing the urgent relief efforts in the separate district of Buner.