Kathmandu: An Indian national was killed and another person of Indian origin injured when two helicopters collided on Tuesday morning while attempting to land at a helipad in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district, around 250 km from Kathmandu.
The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Vasant Kumar Balara Madu, while the injured person is 53-year-old Shailesh Kishan Patel, a New Zealand citizen of Indian origin.
The rotor blades of the two aircraft struck each other as they approached the helipad to land, the civil aviation authority of Nepal said.
The collision involved helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air at the Pheriche helipad, as reported by India Today.
CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, capturing the moment the helicopters came dangerously close before their rotor blades collided.
The accident occurred as both helicopters were landing at the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Pheriche helipad, DSP Nabinraj Budhathoki of the Solukhumbu District Police Office said.
The body of the Indian National was transported to Lukla in another helicopter. The injured man has been airlifted to a hospital.
Officials were gathering further details about the incident, Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer with the aviation authority said. Further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision are awaited.
Small helicopters are widely used across Nepal to ferry tourists and mountaineers, transport supplies and conduct emergency rescues.