A 47-year-old Indian national was killed after two helicopters collided while landing in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district on Tuesday. Another passenger of Indian origin and both helicopter pilots were injured in the accident.

According to a statement issued by Nepal Police, the incident took place at Pheriche in Ward No. 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu district. The helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty collided at 8:11 am local time, according to the District Police Office.

Police Inspector Mausam Tamang identified the deceased as Indian national Vasant Kumar Balaramaramaadu. He was travelling in the Fishtail Air helicopter.

Another passenger on the same helicopter, 49-year-old Shailesh Krishna Patel, was injured. Patel is a New Zealand resident of Indian origin. Tamang said he was airlifted to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu aboard a Prabhu Helicopter.

Both Helicopter Pilots Also Injured

The two pilots, Nepali nationals Rabindra Prajapati and Prajwal KC, were also injured in the collision. Prajapati was flying the Fishtail Air helicopter, while KC was the pilot of the Air Dynasty helicopter. Both were taken to Kathmandu for further treatment.

Pheriche is located around 150 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu and falls along the route to the Mount Everest Base Camp. Police said the deceased’s body was taken to a hospital in Lukla.

The number of passengers aboard the two helicopters at the time of the accident has not yet been confirmed. Police said further information about the incident was being collected.