Six killed in Zimbabwe helicopter crash, officials say

A helicopter carrying six people crashed in the Marondera area of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, September 30, killing everyone aboard, government and police officials said. A family spokesperson, speaking to state broadcaster ZBC, identified businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, among the dead. Police said formal identification of the victims was still underway. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said the helicopter had four passengers and two crew members. He said initial information indicated there were no survivors. Police placed the crash in the rural Marondera area, east of the capital, Harare. One report said it happened at about 3 p.m. GMT; officials had not announced a cause. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the aircraft caught fire and the victims were burned, complicating identification. Responders were at the scene, he said, as authorities worked to establish who was aboard. The supplied accounts do not report formal identification of all six people. The identification of Chivayo and Muteke was relayed by the family spokesperson, Herbert Chivayo, to ZBC. Police and government officials initially did not name those aboard.