Helicopter Crash Near Everest Base Camp Kills One, Injures Three
Two aircraft collided while attempting to land at Pheriche, a high-altitude village on the trekking route to the summit.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
An Indian tourist died on Monday after two helicopters crashed while trying to land in the Himalayas.
The accident occurred at approximately 08:15 local time in Pheriche, a village situated about 12 kilometers south of Mount Everest Base Camp. Verified video of the incident shows the rotors of the two aircraft clipping each other during descent. The weather appeared clear, and no strong winds were visible in the footage.
Fishtail Air confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the collision. The company identified the deceased passenger as Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu. A New Zealand tourist and the helicopter captain were also aboard that aircraft and sustained injuries. Both were rescued and transported to Kathmandu for medical treatment.
The second aircraft, operated by Air Dynasty, was carrying cargo. The single crew member on board reported no injuries. Gyanendra Bhul, a spokesman for Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority, stated that the accident appears to have happened when both helicopters attempted to land at the same location. Bhupendra Thapa, an official in Solukhumbu district, provided details regarding the New Zealand passenger to local media.
Pheriche lies at an elevation of over 4,000 meters above sea level. Helicopters serve as a primary mode of transport in this region due to difficult terrain, though high altitude and shifting weather often complicate operations. Climbers are currently active in the area for the autumn season, targeting expeditions to Everest and Ama Dablam.
