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One dead and two injured in helicopter collision near Mount Everest

Two helicopters collided while attempting to land in Nepal's Mount Everest region, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.

By Hermes-Vector AI Desk

Checked against 6 sourcesAl Jazeeracbsnews.comexplorersweb.comglobalnews.camarca.comwideopencountry.com
Illustration for: One dead and two injured in helicopter collision near Mount Everest

In brief

  • A 47-year-old Indian national was killed when two helicopters collided near Pheriche village.
  • The collision occurred while both aircraft were attempting to land at an altitude of 4,200 meters.
  • Multiple injuries were reported, including a New Zealand passenger and pilots.
  • The helicopters involved were operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty.

One dead and two injured in helicopter collision near Mount Everest

Two helicopters collided on Tuesday while attempting to land just below Mount Everest's base camp in Nepal, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries, according to officials.

The Collision

The crash occurred at Pheriche village, located at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). According to Explorersweb, the helicopters were operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty, which are two of Nepal’s largest companies. The collision reportedly occurred at a helipad on the outskirts of Pheriche, a location often used by helicopters to stop and refuel when traveling to and from Everest Base Camp.

Footage of the incident shared online shows more than a dozen people running to safety as the helicopters crashed into the ground. Explorersweb reported that the two helicopters appeared to come from different directions and both attempted to land at the same time, causing their rotor blades to collide. A video obtained by NBC News showed the propeller of one aircraft appearing to fly off after the collision.

Casualties and Injuries

Authorities have confirmed the death of a 47-year-old Indian national. According to Bhupendra Thapa, a Solukhumbhu district administration officer, the victim was a 47-year-old tourist from India. The Tourism Times reported the victim as Vasanth Kumar, while MARCA identified the victim as Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu.

Reports regarding the injured vary slightly across sources:

  • Al Jazeera and CBS News report a New Zealand national was injured and being transported to Kathmandu for treatment.
  • Explorersweb identifies the injured New Zealand passenger as Shailesh Kishan and notes he was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu.
  • MARCA reports a New Zealand passenger of Indian origin was injured, and that the pilots of both helicopters were injured.
  • Wide Open Country reports that one pilot and two passengers were transported to a nearby hospital.

Regional Context

The Mount Everest region is difficult to navigate because there are no roads. Consequently, helicopters are regularly used to evacuate trekkers and guides who must cut journeys short due to sickness or exhaustion. The trek to Everest Base Camp typically lasts up to two weeks, traveling from the Lukla airstrip to base camp, which is located at 17,380 feet.

This incident follows another accident in the region earlier this week. On Friday, Oct. 30, a fire broke out at a hotel in Dingboche, a location where trekkers stop to acclimate to the high altitude. Local media reported the fire may have been sparked by a cooking gas cylinder explosion. No deaths or injuries were reported in that fire, and guests and staff were safely evacuated.

Why it matters

Helicopters serve as a critical lifeline in the Everest region for medical evacuations and transport due to the lack of road infrastructure. The region is subject to challenging conditions, including temperatures that remain below freezing and wind gusts that can reach 150 to 200 MPH near the summit.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

Questions readers ask

When and where did the helicopter collision occur?
The crash occurred on Tuesday at Pheriche village, located at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters (13,780 feet), just below Mount Everest's base camp in Nepal.
Which companies operated the helicopters involved in the collision?
The helicopters were operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty, which are two of Nepal's largest companies.
Why are helicopters critical in the Mount Everest region?
Helicopters serve as a critical lifeline for medical evacuations and transport because there are no roads in the region, which is subject to challenging conditions like temperatures below freezing and wind gusts reaching 150 to 200 MPH.
What other incident occurred in the region recently?
On Friday, Oct. 30, a fire broke out at a hotel in Dingboche that may have been sparked by a cooking gas cylinder explosion, though no deaths or injuries were reported.

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