Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Mar 22: At least six people were killed after a Qatari helicopter crashed in the country’s territorial waters, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
According to the Ministry of Interior, there were seven people on board at the time of the incident, of whom six have been confirmed dead, while one person remains missing. The crash occurred on Saturday.
Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate the missing individual. Specialised teams have been deployed in the area to carry out the operation.
The Ministry of Defence attributed the crash to a “technical malfunction” during a routine mission. However, officials did not disclose the identities or nationalities of the victims.
In a statement posted on social media, the Defence Ministry said the helicopter encountered a technical fault that led to the crash in regional waters, triggering an immediate rescue response.
The Interior Ministry added that maritime search and rescue teams from the General Directorate of Coast and Border Security, along with the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group under the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), are involved in the ongoing operation.
Authorities said efforts will continue until the missing person is traced.