Tourist Killed, Three Injured as Two Helicopters Collide Near Mount Everest in Nepal

A 47-year-old Indian tourist has been killed and three other people injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land in Nepal’s Mount Everest region.

The accident occurred at approximately 8:11 a.m. local time on Tuesday at the helipad in Pheriche, Solukhumbu district, when helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty collided during their landing approach.

The deceased was identified as Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramudu, an Indian national from Tamil Nadu, who was travelling aboard the Fishtail Air helicopter.

Three other people, including the pilots of both aircraft, sustained injuries in the collision.

They were identified as Shailesh Krishna Patel, a 49-year-old New Zealand citizen of Indian origin, and the two pilots, Rabindra Prajapati and Prajal KC.

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According to local authorities, the injured passenger and one of the pilots were airlifted to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment, while the other pilot received medical attention in Lukla.

The body of the deceased tourist was also transported to Lukla following the accident.

Reports indicated that the helicopters were attempting to land at the same helipad when their rotor blades struck each other, causing the collision.

The Fishtail Air helicopter was carrying tourists who had been rescued from the Everest region, while the Air Dynasty aircraft was reportedly transporting cargo and had no passengers aboard.

The incident has drawn attention to aviation safety in Nepal, where helicopters play a crucial role in transporting tourists, climbers and supplies across the mountainous Himalayan region.

Pheriche is a major stop for trekkers and mountaineers travelling towards Mount Everest Base Camp. The area is particularly dependent on helicopter services because of its difficult terrain and limited road access.

Helicopters are frequently used to evacuate climbers and trekkers who become ill, exhausted or stranded at high altitudes, as well as to transport essential supplies.

The accident occurred during Nepal’s peak trekking season, when thousands of visitors travel to the Everest region.

Authorities have commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision and determine what led to the two helicopters making contact during their landing manoeuvres.