ACCRA: A military helicopter crash in Ghana’s Ashanti region on Wednesday claimed the lives of eight people, including Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

The Z9 military helicopter had taken off from the capital, Accra, en route to Obuasi in the gold-mining interior when it lost contact and later crashed in the forested Adansi area. All onboard were confirmed dead.

Among the deceased were three Ghana Air Force crew members and three other officials, including Samuel Sarpong, vice chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress party.

The group was reportedly heading to an event focused on illegal mining, a significant environmental concern in the country.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the Ghana Armed Forces have launched an investigation. Following the incident, President John Dramani Mahama declared a three-day national mourning period and suspended all official activities.

Security forces were deployed to secure the crash site, and mourning gatherings began at the residences of the victims and party headquarters. The Ghanaian government has described the crash as a national tragedy.