Kathmandu, November 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
An Indian national from Tamil Nadu was killed and a passenger of Indian origin from New Zealand was injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Vasanth Kumar, while the injured passenger is a New Zealand national of Indian origin, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Nabin Raja Budhathoki, chief of the District Police Office in Solukhumbu.
Both passengers were travelling aboard a Fishtail Air helicopter when it collided with an Air Dynasty helicopter near a helipad in the Pheriche area. The Fishtail Air pilot also sustained minor injuries, while the Air Dynasty aircraft was reportedly carrying no passengers.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the Air Dynasty AS350 helicopter, registered as 9NAOD, had taken off from Lukla Airport for Pheriche. The Fishtail Air AS350, registered as 9NAJR, was travelling from the Gorakshep area with two foreign passengers.
The collision occurred at around 8.12 a.m. local time as the helicopters attempted to land, the aviation authority said.
Local media reports said the injured passenger had been taken to Kathmandu for further treatment. Police said arrangements were being made to transport Kumar’s body to the Nepalese capital for a post-mortem examination.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the helicopters’ rotor blades coming into contact as the aircraft approached each other before crashing to the ground. The circumstances leading to the collision are yet to be established.
The Solukhumbu district, which includes parts of the Everest region, is a major destination for international tourists. Helicopters operate regularly in the mountainous area, ferrying visitors and supporting rescue operations.
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