ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s air force said on Friday a technical fault caused the deadly helicopter crash in the country’s north and that a fire that subsequently broke out on the aircraft caused the high number of fatalities.

Four foreigners — the ambassadors from the Philippines and Norway and the wives of the ambassadors from Malaysia and Indonesia — were among those killed, along with two pilots and a crew member.

The diplomats were being flown to Naltar to witness the inauguration of chairlift at a ski resort.

Earlier, the Pakistani Taleban claimed shooting down the helicopter with a missile.