Nepal helicopter crash: Rescue teams have also recovered five bodies from the crash site.
A tourist helicopter crashed this morning near Mount Everest in Nepal, killing five tourists on board. The body and debris were found about three hours after the helicopter went missing.
The private helicopter carrying five Mexican nationals crashed in Lamjura in the mountainous Solukhumbu district shortly after take off, officials said.
Tribhuvan International Airport manager Gyanendra Bhul said, “The Manang Air NA-MV helicopter had taken off from Surke airport for Kathmandu at 10.04 am and lost contact at around 10.12 am.”
The helicopter is believed to have hit a tree on top of the hill, which may have caused the accident. Two helicopters were sent to locate the missing helicopter, but had to return due to bad weather.
Locals told the police that they heard a loud explosion when the chopper crashed at Chihandanda in Lamjura area.
Rescue teams reached the accident spot after people informed the police officials.
Aviation officials said a probe has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
Established in 1997, Manang Air provides chartered services in Nepal and focuses on personalized services like adventure flights.