Helicopter collision near Mount Everest kills one, injures two
KATHMANDU, Nepal — Two helicopters collided Tuesday while trying to land just below Mount Everest’s base camp, killing at least one person and injuring two others, reports BritPanorama.
The aircraft were ferrying trekkers who had been hiking up to Everest base camp during Nepal’s popular trekking season. Heavy snow had covered the route before the weather improved Sunday, allowing thousands of trekkers to proceed.
With no roads leading to Everest, helicopters remain crucial for transporting trekkers and guides who fall ill or become exhausted in the extreme conditions.
The collision occurred at Pheriche village, situated at an altitude of 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). A 47-year-old tourist from India was reported dead, according to Bhupendra Thapa, a district administration officer in Solukhumbhu.
A passenger from New Zealand sustained injuries and was being airlifted to Kathmandu for medical attention, while a Nepali pilot was treated locally for injuries.
The exact number of individuals aboard both helicopters has not been confirmed. The Mount Everest base camp trek typically takes up to two weeks, beginning from the sole airstrip in Lukla and culminating at an altitude of 5,300 meters (17,380 feet).
This trek is particularly popular during the fall season, following the rainy months but preceding the challenges of winter.
