A tragic incident occurred in Nepal’s Everest region on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of all six individuals on board a tourist helicopter, News About Nigeria reports.
The helicopter, operated by Manang Air, was en route to Kathmandu from Lukla, a popular starting point for those embarking on expeditions to Mount Everest.
The passengers included five Mexican tourists and a Nepali pilot.
Shortly after taking off at 10:04 am, the helicopter lost contact with authorities about 10 minutes into the flight.
Gyanendra Bhul of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal confirmed that the bodies of all six individuals had been discovered at the crash site.
Despite the deployment of two helicopters and ground search teams for rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions prevented the helicopters from landing near the crash site.
Consequently, teams on foot were dispatched to retrieve the bodies.
The Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, expressed his condolences on Twitter, acknowledging the tragic event.
“Honorable Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has expressed grief over the incident of Manang Air helicopter flying from Surke, Solukhumbu to Kathmandu, in which 5 people died and 1 passenger was missing”, he tweeted.
This incident adds to the series of aviation accidents that have plagued Nepal, known for its challenging air safety record.
Nepal’s private helicopter industry has flourished due to its ability to transport tourists and goods to remote areas with limited or no road access.
However, the country’s difficult terrain, unpredictable weather, and inadequate training and maintenance in the aviation sector have contributed to the high number of accidents.
Nepal’s treacherous runways, nestled among snow-capped peaks, present significant challenges even for experienced pilots.
