Two helicopters collided while attempting to land near Mount Everest in Nepal on Tuesday, November 3, killing an Indian tourist and injuring two other people. Dramatic footage circulating online appears to show the aircraft colliding moments before they crash onto the ground.
The accident happened at Pheriche, a high-altitude settlement on the route to Everest Base Camp in the Solukhumbu district. Nepalese authorities said the helicopters, operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty, collided at around 8:11 a.m. local time.
What happened at the Pheriche helipad
The collision involved the helicopters’ rotor blades as the aircraft approached the landing area. Both helicopters came down on the snowy ground, according to reports and footage circulating online.
A 47-year-old Indian tourist died in the accident. A passenger from New Zealand and a Nepalese pilot also sustained injuries, according to the Associated Press. Rescue teams transported injured people for medical treatment. The number of people aboard the two helicopters was not immediately clear. Authorities were investigating the circumstances of the collision, and officials had not announced an established cause.
Helicopters play a vital role in Everest rescues
Pheriche lies at an altitude of about 4,200 meters (13,780 feet), below Everest Base Camp. Helicopters are essential in the region because roads do not reach many trekking areas. Operators use them to transport climbers, deliver supplies and evacuate trekkers who become ill or exhausted at high altitude.
The crash occurred during Nepal’s busy autumn trekking season, when visitors travel to the Everest region before winter conditions become more severe. The incident also highlights the challenges of helicopter operations in mountainous terrain, where high altitude, limited landing areas and changing weather can complicate flights.
Video of the collision circulates online
Footage shared on social media appears to show people near the helipad as the helicopters approach. Their rotor blades then appear to strike each other, sending both aircraft crashing down and prompting people nearby to run for safety.
Investigators still need to establish the precise sequence of events and the cause of the collision. Authorities have not yet released a final account of what led to the crash.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
