Honduras president's sister killed in helicopter crash

17 Dec, 2017 00:59

Six people, including Hilda Hernandez, the 51-year-old sister and advisor of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, were killed when the helicopter carrying them crashed on its way from the capital, Tegucigalpa, to Comayagua. The remains of the aircraft were discovered after reconnaissance helicopters and ground teams were dispatched in severe weather conditions, the Honduran armed forces said in a statement, cited by Reuters. No survivors were found. The military said they would investigate the causes of the crash. Honduras has been wracked by instability after the recent presidential election, in which the dragged-out official count handed victory to Hernandez, who supported the 2009 US-backed coup. Opposition parties are disputing the result, which has triggered violent protests.