Indian National Killed in Nepal Helicopter Collision; Gujarat-Origin NRI Injured

Nepal: An Indian national was killed and a Gujarat-origin NRI injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land at a helipad in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district, around 250 km from Kathmandu, on Tuesday morning.

The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Indian national Vasant Kumar Balara Madu, while the injured person is 53-year-old Shailesh Kishan Patel, a New Zealand citizen of Gujarat origin.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the rotor blades of the two helicopters struck each other as they approached the helipad for landing. The collision involved helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air at the Pheriche helipad in the Khumbu region.

CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the two helicopters approaching each other before their rotor blades collided.

DSP Nabinraj Budhathoki of the Solukhumbu District Police Office said the accident occurred as both helicopters were attempting to land at the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Pheriche helipad.

Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer with the aviation authority, confirmed the collision and said officials were gathering further details about the incident.

Further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision are awaited.

Helicopters are widely used in Nepal to transport tourists and mountaineers, ferry supplies and conduct emergency rescue operations, particularly in remote mountainous regions. DeshGujarat