Helicopter Crash in Pakistan Kills Phillipine and Norwegian Ambassadors

Two foreign ambassadors to Pakistan were killed and three others injured when their helicopter made a crash landing.

The BBC reports that the Pakistani Taliban has claimed they were behind the downing of the helicopter, but the Pakistani government denies this.The area where the helicopter went down is not associated with the numerous Islamist militant groups that regularly wreak havoc within Pakistan.

The military claims that a technical issue was the cause of the crash, while an anonymous soldier said that the helicopter went down in high winds. 

Among the dead are Phillippine and Norwegian ambassadors to Pakistan. The wives of the ambassadors from Malaysia and Indonesia were also killed in the crash.

In addition to the foreigners killed in the crash, the helicopter's two pilots and a crew member were killed, according to The Associated Press.

The Polish and Dutch ambassadors to Pakistan were also on the helicopter and survived the crash. The extent of their injuries has not yet been released, according to the BBC. The AP also reports that the Romanian ambassador was onboard the crashed helicopter and also survived.

The helicopter was part of a convoy carrying a number of foreign delegates and dignitaries from more than 30 countries to a ski resort in the town of Naltar to dedicate a new ski lift. The BBC reports the lift was donated to Pakistan by Switzerland and installed by the Pakistani Air Force.

The lift was actually completed in Aug. 2014, but the official opening ceremony was delayed a number of times for various reasons.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also declared a day of mourning to honor the dead.

No US diplomatic or military personnel were involved in the flight or dedication ceremony.