Two helicopters collide while landing in Nepal's Solukhumbu; one foreign national dead

Two helicopters collided in the air in Nepal's Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning while both were trying to land. One foreign national was killed and another passenger was seriously injured.

The collision took place in the Feriche area of Solukhumbu at about 8:11 am. Solukhumbu is a well-known centre for tourism and mountaineering. The spot is said to be near a heliport about 250 km from the capital, Kathmandu. Helicopters of two different companies, Air Dynasty and Fishtail Air, were landing. According to preliminary information, the helicopters collided head-on or side by side.

According to information from the local administration, one foreign national died in the collision. Mausam Tamang, information officer of the district police office and a police inspector, confirmed the death. The nationality and name of the deceased have not yet been established.

The injured passenger was taken to Lukla in another helicopter, belonging to Prabhu Air, for immediate treatment. The passenger is undergoing treatment, but no details of the condition have been given yet.

The total number of passengers and crew on board the two helicopters has also not emerged. The cause of the accident, whether a technical fault or human error, is not known. Local police have taken the matter seriously and begun a thorough investigation into the cause. A high-level inquiry by Nepal's aviation authority is also expected.

Meanwhile, a video of the accident is spreading rapidly on social media. It clearly shows the aftermath and the chaos. However, no independent source or safety agency has separately confirmed the viral video.

Police officials say the investigation is continuing and that the full facts and the official account will be placed before the public soon. The rise in helicopter accidents in Nepal has again raised the question of tourist safety.