Helicopter Disaster Near Everest: Five Dead, One Missing After Tourist Crash
Tourists Killed in Nepal Chopper Crash
Tragedy hit near Mount Everest as a helicopter packed with foreign tourists crashed, killing at least five people. One passenger remains missing, officials confirmed.
The Manang Air chopper was ferrying five Mexican tourists and a Nepali pilot back to Kathmandu after a scenic flight around the world’s tallest peak on Tuesday. The aircraft took off from Surke in Solukhumbu district at 10:04 local time but lost contact just 10 minutes later before crashing in the Lamajura area.
Bad Weather Blamed for Deadly Crash
Airport boss Sagar Kadel revealed worsening weather forced a sudden change in the flight plan. “During monsoon season, heavy rain and poor visibility often disrupt flights,” he said. The helicopter was caught in these dangerous conditions.
Rescue teams have recovered five bodies so far. Officials, including Basanta Bhattarai, the area’s top government official, said searches for the sixth passenger are ongoing.
Everest Flying Hazards and Safety Fears Grow
This crash comes as tourism flights wind down after the May mountaineering season due to erratic weather and low visibility.
It’s the latest deadly aviation disaster in Nepal. Just six months ago, a plane crash in western Nepal killed all 72 onboard. Nepali pilots face extreme challenges navigating the perilous mountain runways surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Rapid weather changes and risky terrain create deadly flying conditions. Nepal’s aviation safety record has long been under fire, with poor maintenance and pilot training cited as major issues. The European Union has banned all Nepali airlines from its airspace citing these concerns.
