Diplomats who survived Pakistan helicopter crash remember the terrifying seconds before impact

Three ambassadors to Pakistan who survived a helicopter crash that killed seven people have described the terrifying moment the aircraft span out of control before slamming into the ground and catching fire.

Testimonies of diplomats on board from Malaysia, Argentina and the Netherlands released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) also unequivocally bolstered government and eyewitness statements that the disaster was an accident rather than an act of terrorism.

Malaysia's envoy - who was himself injured in the crash - described how the journey had gone to plan until they were due to land at their destination in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

"After arriving at Gilgit airport everything went well except for the last few minutes, when the helicopter went into a spiral, round and round and round, and there it hit the ground," Hasrul Sani Mujtabar said.

"I saw the pilot was killed, some others died instantly and I was in middle. Then a few managed to escape but the fire was very strong," with smoke quickly filling the helicopter, he said.

The helicopter was one of three carrying a delegation of ambassadors to inspect projects on a three-day trip to the region, where they were set to meet with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.