Zambian Vice-President Escapes Unharmed After Military Helicopter Crash.

 

Zambian Vice-President Mutale Nalumango escaped unharmed after a military helicopter carrying her and seven others crashed shortly after take-off in Nakonde District during a campaign tour ahead of the country's general election.The 71-year-old vice-president was travelling between campaign events in Northern Province as part of the ruling party's election campaign before Zambia heads to the polls on 13 August. The helicopter had departed from a rally in Nakonde and was bound for Isoka, where Nalumango was scheduled to address another political gathering, when it crashed moments after take-off.

Speaking to Diamond News following the incident, Nalumango described the tense moments before the aircraft went down.

"After we lifted off, I don't know whether it was a minute or two... and then we came down," she said.

Despite the crash, all eight people on board, including the vice-president, crew members and passengers, escaped without injury.

As a precaution, Nalumango was taken to a nearby medical facility for a routine medical examination before being discharged in good health.

In an official statement, Zambia's Ministry of Information and Media confirmed that everyone aboard the helicopter was safe.

"Her Honour, the Vice President, and all passengers and crew are safe and well. As a standard precaution, she was taken to a nearby medical facility for a routine check and has since been discharged. The Vice President is in good health," the ministry said.

The ministry also praised the flight crew, emergency responders and residents of Nakonde for their swift response to the incident.

Photos shared on social media showed the damaged Zambia Air Force helicopter resting on its side following the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft may have struck a tree shortly after take-off, although authorities have not officially confirmed the cause.

An investigation is expected to determine what led to the accident.

The incident comes as Zambia intensifies political campaigning ahead of the 13 August general election, where President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in office.