03.11.2026 10:33
Two helicopters collided while attempting to land at the same time at the Pheriche helipad near Mount Everest in Nepal. It was reported that the helicopter belonging to Fishtail Air was carrying passengers rescued from the Everest region. In the accident, an Indian tourist on board this helicopter lost his life. In the collision with the other helicopter belonging to Air Dynasty, which was carrying only cargo, a New Zealand passenger and two pilots were also injured. The moments of the disastrous accident that occurred in the air were captured on camera.
In an accident in the morning hours in Pheriche on the Everest Base Camp route, a tourist aboard one of the helicopters that collided with each other during landing could not be saved. The moment of the collision was reflected in footage shared on social media.
THEY TRIED TO LAND AT THE SAME TIME
According to the statement by the Solukhumbu District Police Office, the accident occurred at around 08:11 local time. Two helicopters belonging to Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty tried to land at the same time at the Pheriche helipad within the boundaries of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. According to the Kathmandu Post report, the helicopters collided during landing.
According to information in the local press, the rotors of the helicopters collided with each other. Both helicopters collided just as they were about to land on the snow-covered pad.
INDIAN TOURIST COULD NOT BE SAVED
In the accident, Indian citizen tourist Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, who was aboard the helicopter belonging to Fishtail Air, lost his life. An official from the Solukhumbu district administration said the tourist was 47 years old. Balaramaramadu's body was taken to the hospital in Lukla.
THE INJURED WERE SENT TO KATHMANDU
Shailesh Krishna Patel (49), a New Zealand citizen of Indian origin who was on the same helicopter, was also injured in the collision. Patel was taken to the capital Kathmandu by a helicopter belonging to Prabhu Helicopter and placed under treatment at Mediciti Hospital.
The pilots of the helicopters, Captain Rabindra Prajapati and Captain Prajwal KC, were also slightly injured in the accident. It was reported that the pilots were taken for treatment.
"IT WAS CARRYING RESCUED PASSENGERS"
In a written statement, Fishtail Air announced that its helicopter was carrying passengers rescued from the Everest region and was involved in the accident during landing. Air Dynasty, on the other hand, stated that there was only cargo on its helicopter.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
Police launched an investigation into the accident. Officials announced that the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined. It was stated that efforts were also underway to clarify the total number of people aboard the helicopters.
ACCIDENT IN THE BUSIEST SEASON
Pheriche, at over 4,000 meters above sea level, is known as an important rest stop for mountaineers and trekkers heading to the Everest region. There is no road in the area about 150 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. For this reason, the transport of tourists and supplies in the region, and the evacuation of sick trekkers and guides, is largely carried out by helicopters. The accident coincided with the busiest period of the trekking season in Nepal.