PM announces day of mourning following Gilgit crash

PM extends condolences to families of deceased; COAS expresses deepest regrets over loss of lives

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday announced a day of mourning following the tragic crash of the Mi-17 helicopter in Gilgit that claimed 7 lives, including the Norwegian and Philippine envoys.

The premier extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, a statement from the Prime Minister Office said.

Read: Norway, Philippines ambassadors among 6 killed in Gilgit helicopter crash

Following the crash, PM Nawaz directed that that the injured be shifted to the nearest hospital and best medical treatment be given to them.

He mourned the tragic loss of precious lives of Major Altamash, Major Faisal, Naib Subedar Zakir and foreign diplomats and their families in the incident, Radio Pakistan reported.

Nawaz calls Norwegian prime minister, extends condolences

The prime minister called his Norwegian counterpart and extended his condolences on the sad demise of Norwegian Ambassador.

Nawaz said the ambassador would be missed and his remains would be sent to Norway as soon as possible. He added that Pakistan will do its best to look after the families of deceased diplomats.

The premier said entire Pakistani nation is heartbroken over this incident and shares the grief and anguish of Norwegian nation.

He also conveyed his personal condolences to the family of the deceased ambassador, which the Norwegian PM promised to convey.

Norwegian PM thanked the PM for his timely efforts and also for the decision of observing a day of mourning.

President of Maldives calls Nawaz

President of Maldives Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom called Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif on Friday evening to extend condolences following the tragic crash in Naltar Valley.

He expressed his condolences for the bereaved families over the loss of precious lives of their beloved ones and conveyed sympathies for the injured.

Nawaz shared details of the accident with Gayoom and thanked him for his solidarity and support in the hour of national grief.

Army chief expresses grief

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif also expressed his deepest grief over deaths of Major Altamash, Major Faisal, Naib Subedar Zakir, and foreign diplomats and their families in the helicopter crash.

"It is a sad day for all of us and our heart goes out to the bereaved families at this sad moment of heir life," Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying.

The aircraft was carrying around 11 foreigners and 6 Pakistani passengers. Nawaz announced a day of mourning following the brutal crash.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also extended his condolences on the loss of valuable lives in Friday's tragedy, said his spokesperson.

The Air Chief visited the site of the incident in Naltar before heading to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to inquire after the health of those injured. He also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families of the departed souls.



Meanwhile, a C-130 aircraft has arrived in Gilgit to assist in rescue efforts.

In a statement, Norway also expressed 'great sadness' over the death of its ambassador in the crash, AFP reported.

Condolence book

The Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad will open a condolence book to allow those who wish to express sorrow and pay respects to Hery Listyawati, the late spouse of the Indonesian Ambassador Burhan Muhammad and one of the victims who lost their lives in the incident, a press release said.

The condolence book will be available for signature at the embassy’s premises on May 11-12,2015 from 10:00 to 1200 hrs and 14:00 to 16:00 hrs,  it added.

After news spread of the crash, various politicians took to Twitter to condole with the victims’ families and express their grief.

"Saddened by tragic the Naltar helicopter crash killing diplomats, envoys' wives and Pakistan Army pilots," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairmain tweeted. "My condolences go out to their families."

Saddened by tragic Naltar helicopter crash killing diplomats, envoys' wives & Pak army pilots & 4 citizens My condolences go to the families

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 8, 2015

PTI leader Jahangir Tareen also expressed his grief over the crash.

My heart goes out to the family members of the deceased ambassadors and wives in the unfortunate helicopter crash in Naltar GB Today.

— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) May 8, 2015

Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat ul Ebad sent out his condolences to the bereaved families.

Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan expressed his grief over helicopter accident in Gilgit & condoled with the bereaved families.

— Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad (@drishratulebad) May 8, 2015

Pakistan People's Party co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari as well as Aseefa Bhutto Zardari took to twitter to send their condolences.

Former President @AAliZardari grieved over helicopter crash in #Gilgit - #PPP #Pakistan http://t.co/BoJHJdeEQc

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 8, 2015

My condolences to the families of the all those who lost their lives in the #Gilgit Crash.

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) May 8, 2015