Two helicopters collide near Mount Everest during rescue flight, killing one, injuring others

Two helicopters collided while attempting to land near Everest base camp in Nepal during a flight carrying passengers rescued from the Everest region. One tourist died and others were injured, prompting an investigation by Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority.

The crash occurred at about 8:12 a.m. on Tuesday in Pheriche, in Solukhumbu District. The deceased was 47-year-old Indian national Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu; New Zealander Shailesh Kisan Patel and at least one pilot were injured and taken to hospital in Kathmandu. The aircraft belonged to Air Dynasty and Fishtail Air; Air Dynasty said its helicopter was carrying cargo only. Pheriche lies about 13,780 feet above sea level, where helicopters are an important way to evacuate people because there are no roads.