Helicopter carrying Zambia’s vice president crashes near Nakonde, all eight people escape unharmed

Mutale Nalumango, Zambia’s vice president, escaped without injury after the helicopter she was traveling in crashed during an election tour in the country’s northeast.

The crash happened near the town of Nakonde. There were eight people on board and, according to the vice president herself, the helicopter went down just one or two minutes after takeoff.

“Immediately after takeoff, one or two minutes later, it crashed. There were eight of us on board and we are all fine,” Nalumango said in an interview with the online broadcaster Diamond TV.

After the accident, the 71-year-old underwent medical examinations and, according to the government, suffered no injuries. The seven other people who were on the helicopter also escaped without serious injuries.

Photos shared on social media show the white helicopter overturned, while it is suspected to have hit a tree immediately after takeoff.

The incident comes just a few weeks before Zambia’s presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for August 13. Outgoing President Hakainde Hichilema is widely seen as the favorite to win a second term leading the country.

Authorities are expected to open an investigation to clarify the causes that led to the helicopter crash.