Missing helicopter with 7 people on board in Nepal crashes

A chopper with seven people onboard is reported to have crashed in the area of SatyaDevi forest of Dhading district of Nepal.

The wreckage of the chopper piloted by senior captain Nishchal K C with six passengers, including a Japanese trekker, has been spotted by locals in a remote location in Nuwakot district.

According to the Altitude Air, the chopper went out of contact with the air traffic control tower at 8:05 am today before it was supposed to land at the Tribhuvan Interbnational Airport at 8.18 am. “It has been suspected that the chopper might have landed somewhere in Dhading district. We are trying to find out the location of the helicopter,” Sitaram Sapkota, owner of Altitude Air was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post.

The passengers onboard the missing chopper include Japanese national Hiromi Komatsu, Dilli Bahadur Gurung, 40, of Ramechhap, Hira Sherpa,37, of Dolakha, Lho Aani Dolma Diki of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-2, Gorkha, Chhewang Nurbu of Chumnubri-1, Sunil Tamang, 22, of Sindhupalchok and Pilot Nichan KC.

A Nepal Army helicopter and a private chopper along with rescuers have been despatched to the crash site. The area is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of the capital, Kathmandu. According to authorities difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions have caused a delay in rescue operations.

The Airbus manufactured Ecureuil helicopter belongs to Altitude Air in Nepal and has been used in mountain rescues.

Further details of the incident are awaited.

Source: Himalayan Times