Benin prime minister unhurt after helicopter crash

Benin Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou emerged unscathed after a helicopter he was travelling in crash-landed in the country's northwest, an official said today.

The incident occurred yesterday at a stadium in Djougou but there were no casualties.

"The prime minister was on board at the time of the crash-landing ... Happily he emerged safe and sound," a source in the Beninese presidency told AFP.

"My father is well. There are no victims of the helicopter crash in Djougou. Thank you for your messages," added Zinsou's daughter Marie-Cecile on Twitter.

An investigation has been opened into the circumstances leading to the incident, police said.
 

Zinsou, a former banker who holds both French and Beninese nationality, has said he will run as the ruling party's candidate for a presidential election scheduled to in February.