Tragedy struck Ghana on Wednesday as two serving ministers and six others were confirmed dead following a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region.

Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, were among the eight individuals on board the ill-fated aircraft, according to a report by Reuters.

Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, Julius Debrah, who confirmed the incident during a press briefing, described the crash as a “national tragedy” that has dealt a major blow to the country’s leadership and military.

“This is a heartbreaking loss. The President and the government send deepest condolences to the families of our departed comrades and the Air Force personnel who died in active service,” Debrah stated.

The crash also claimed the lives of three other senior government officials and three members of the Ghana Air Force, bringing the death toll to eight. The identities of the remaining victims have not yet been disclosed.

Ghana’s military authorities revealed that radar contact was lost with the Z9 military helicopter shortly before the crash. The aircraft, widely used by the Ghana Air Force for transportation and medical missions, had three crew members and five passengers on board.

Emergency response teams have been deployed to the crash site to conduct recovery operations, while investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Preliminary reports suggest a possible technical failure or adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the fatal incident.

The Ghanaian government has called for national prayers as the country mourns the loss of its officials and service members.