The aviation authorities have reported that a tourist helicopter in Nepal crashed shortly after take-off in the Everest region, resulting in the death of all six individuals on board.
The Manang Air flight was en route to Kathmandu, the capital, from Lukla, a popular starting point for climbing expeditions to Mount Everest. The flight consisted of five Mexican passengers and one Nepali pilot.
The helicopter experienced a communication failure approximately 10 minutes after its departure at 10:04 am (0419 GMT).
“Six bodies have been found at the crash site,” Gyanendra Bhul of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal told AFP.
Two helicopters and teams on the ground had been deployed for search and rescue.
“Weather did not allow the helicopters to land close to the area. Teams on foot are heading there to retrieve the bodies,” Bhul said.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had “expressed grief” over the incident, his office said on Twitter.
Nepal’s private helicopter sector is thriving, transporting tourists and cargo to remote regions of the Himalayan country where road access is limited or non-existent.
However, the country is infamous for its poor air safety, and Tuesday’s tragedy is the latest in a long line of aviation mishaps.
