Zambia’s Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has escaped unhurt after a helicopter carrying her and seven other people crashed shortly after takeoff during an election campaign trip on Thursday.
The incident occurred as the country prepares for its August 13 general election, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking another term in office in Zambia, one of Africa’s leading copper-producing nations.
Nalumango, 71, told Diamond TV online that the aircraft went down shortly after she and her team departed a campaign rally in Nakonde, a town located in the northeastern part of the country.
“After we lifted off, I don’t know whether it was a minute or two… and then we came down,” she said, adding that she did not suffer any injuries.
“We were eight, and all of us are fine,” she said. She explained that the cause of the crash remained unknown, although the helicopter sustained serious damage.
The vice president was taken for a routine medical examination following the incident and was later discharged in good health, according to a government statement.
Images circulating on social media showed the white Air Force helicopter lying on its side after apparently crashing into a tree.
