Death toll raises to five in government helicopter crash in Pakistan UPDATED

The death toll from the army helicopter crash in Chilas, Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, has risen to five, officials confirmed. 

Earlier reports had stated that three people had died in the incident, Caliber.Az reports via Dawn.

Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed said the helicopter, belonging to the Pakistan Army, was conducting a test landing on a newly proposed helipad when it went down. Rescue teams from the Diamer police and local authorities reached the site to carry out evacuation operations.

While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq cited a “technical failure” as a possible factor.

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At least three people were killed on September 1 when a government helicopter crashed in the Thor area of Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan.

Faizullah Firaq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said the aircraft went down due to a technical fault. The helicopter was carrying two pilots and three technical staff members at the time of the incident, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Following the crash, the Commander of the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA), the Director-General of Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and the Commissioner of Diamer reached the site. Efforts are underway to extinguish the fire caused by the crash.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

By Sabina Mammadli