A collision between two helicopters in Nepal's Solukhumbu district has resulted in the death of an Indian tourist and injuries to three others.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Two helicopters collided on Tuesday morning while attempting to land at a helipad in Pheriche, located just below Mount Everest’s base camp in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district. The incident resulted in the death of at least one person and left three others injured, according to officials.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:11 a.m. local time in Ward 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, at an elevation of approximately 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). The aircraft involved were operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty.
Preliminary reports suggest the accident occurred when the rotor blades of the two helicopters struck each other during landing attempts. One helicopter was reportedly arriving from Lukla, while the other was returning from near the Everest Base Camp. The collision happened at a high-altitude helipad in Pheriche, which serves as a key transit point for trekkers and mountaineers.
Officials have identified the deceased as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, an Indian national who was traveling aboard a Fishtail Air helicopter. His body was transported to a hospital in Lukla.
Three other individuals sustained injuries in the accident:
The accident occurred during Nepal’s popular trekking season. Recent heavy snow had covered the routes in the region before the weather improved on the Sunday prior to the collision, allowing thousands of trekkers to move around. In this region, helicopters are frequently used to move hikers to and from higher altitudes if they become tired or ill, as well as to transport supplies.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), along with local police, has launched a formal inquiry into the circumstances of the collision. Authorities are investigating the sequence of landing operations at the helipad and the reported contact between the helicopters' rotor blades. The exact number of passengers on board the two helicopters at the time of the accident has not yet been confirmed.
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.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Iran has reduced its proposed timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to two days, contingent upon the United States meeting specific diplomatic and economic conditions.
Suspected militants on a motorcycle killed two police officers and wounded a third while they were guarding health workers in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
