Helicopters Collide In Fatal Crash Near Mount Everest Base Camp

One person was killed and at least three people were injured when two helicopters collided while attempting to land near Mount Everest in Nepal on Tuesday.

The helicopters crashed near Pheriche village in the Solukhumbu district, which sits approximately 13,780 feet above sea level and is located along a popular trekking route leading to Everest Base Camp, The New York Post reported. There are no roads on Everest, meaning that trekkers and guides who give up on the climb or need medical attention sometimes use helicopters for transportation.

The man who was killed was identified as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu, an Indian national, according to local authorities. A passenger from New Zealand and two Nepali pilots were also injured in the collision. 

*Warning: graphic video

Two helicopters collided while preparing to land in Nepal’s Mount Everest region, killing an Indian national and injuring a New Zealander. https://t.co/JopGSV2NAy

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The helicopters were operated by two private companies, Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty. According to reports, the Air Dynasty helicopter was carrying cargo after departing from Lukla, while the Fishtail Air aircraft was transporting two foreign tourists from the Everest region.

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The collision occurred around 8:12 a.m. local time as both helicopters attempted to land in Pheriche. The Mount Everest base camp trek lasts up to two weeks and goes from the only airstrip in the area at Lukla to base camp located at 17,380 feet, the Post reported. It’s currently a popular time of year to make the climb, just before the harsh winter weather begins.

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Heavy snow had covered the route before the weather improved Sunday, per CBS News, which meant thousands of climbers were on the move again at the time of the crash. 

The helicopter collision is the second incident along the route to Everest Base Camp this week. On Friday, a fire broke out at a hotel in Dingboche, a place frequented by travelers who need to adjust to the altitude. There is no official report on what caused the fire, though local outlets reported it may have been a cooking gas cylinder explosion.

Hotel guests and staff were safely evacuated and there were no fatalities.