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CCTV footage captures the moment two helicopters collide while attempting to land at Pheriche in Nepal's Everest region. (Img: X)
Solukhumbu: An Indian tourist was killed and three others, including a New Zealand-based passenger of Indian origin, sustained injuries after two helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty collided while attempting to land at Pheriche in this Nepal district on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred at approximately 8:11 am local time in the Mount Everest region, a major international trekking and mountaineering destination.
The deceased was identified as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, a resident of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was travelling aboard the Fishtail Air helicopter when its rotor blades struck those of the Air Dynasty aircraft during the landing approach. The impact proved fatal, with the Indian tourist reportedly dying at the accident site.
CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, capturing the moments when the two helicopters approached the landing area and their rotor blades collided. The footage has drawn attention to aviation safety concerns surrounding helicopter operations in Nepal's high-altitude Himalayan region, particularly during the peak trekking season.
Shailesh Krishna Patel, a New Zealand citizen of Indian origin, was among those injured in the collision. He was also travelling aboard the Fishtail Air helicopter.
Following the accident, Patel was airlifted to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu aboard a Prabhu Air helicopter for further medical treatment. His age has been reported differently across media accounts, with reports placing it at 49 and 53 years.
The two pilots involved in the collision also sustained injuries. They were identified as Prajjwal KC, piloting the Fishtail Air helicopter, and Rabindra Prajapati, operating the Air Dynasty aircraft. Both reportedly suffered minor injuries and were subsequently taken to Kathmandu for medical attention.
The body of the deceased Indian tourist was transported to Lukla, where it was taken to a hospital.
According to Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN), the collision occurred when the rotor blades of the two helicopters struck each other as they approached the helipad for landing.
Deputy spokesperson and information officer Gyanendra Bhul said preliminary information indicated that the helicopters were approaching the landing area from different directions. One aircraft was reportedly travelling from Lukla, while the other was returning from Gorakhpur, near the Everest Base Camp region.
Both helicopters apparently attempted to land at the same location, resulting in the collision.
Preliminary reports have also raised the possibility that snow-covered helipads may have contributed to the incident. There were indications that the pilots might have attempted to use another landing area because the intended helipad was covered in snow. However, aviation authorities have not established this as the definitive cause.
Officials are collecting additional information to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the circumstances that led to the collision.
According to information provided by the operators, the Fishtail Air helicopter was carrying tourists who had been rescued from the Everest region. The deceased Indian national and the injured New Zealand citizen of Indian origin were among its passengers.
The Air Dynasty helicopter was reportedly transporting cargo at the time of the accident.
The total number of passengers and crew members aboard both helicopters has not yet been officially confirmed. Authorities are continuing to verify the details.
Solukhumbu Chief District Officer Kaman Singh Thapa Magar also confirmed the collision and the rescue of the injured passenger.
The accident took place at Pheriche, a settlement located in Ward 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Nepal's Solukhumbu district. Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,200 metres (13,780 feet), Pheriche is an important transit point for trekkers and mountaineers travelling towards Mount Everest Base Camp.
The location lies approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu and is surrounded by the challenging terrain of the Himalayan mountain range.
Nepal is currently experiencing its popular autumn trekking season, attracting international tourists, climbers and adventure enthusiasts to the Everest region. Helicopter services play a significant role in transporting visitors, carrying essential supplies, facilitating high-altitude evacuations and conducting emergency rescue operations.
The collision has once again brought attention to the operational challenges of aviation in mountainous terrain, where rapidly changing weather conditions, snow-covered landing areas, high altitude and limited landing infrastructure can complicate helicopter movements. Authorities are expected to establish the precise cause of the accident following further investigation.
