KATHMANDU, Nepal — A tragic helicopter crash in the mountains northwest of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, claimed the lives of all five people on board, authorities reported on Wednesday.
The victims, four men and one woman, were recovered from the wreckage in the Suryachaur area by police and army rescuers, with assistance from two rescue helicopters. The helicopter, an Eurocopter AS350 operated by Nepal-based Air Dynasty, lost contact with the tower just three minutes after taking off from Kathmandu international airport at 1:54 p.m. local time. It was en route to Syaprubeshi.
Officials identified the four passengers as Chinese nationals and the pilot as a Nepali man.
This incident follows a recent plane crash two weeks prior, involving a Saurya Airlines flight that crashed after takeoff from Kathmandu airport, resulting in 18 deaths and injuring the lone survivor, the pilot.
A government investigation is underway regarding both crashes, highlighting ongoing concerns about aviation safety in Nepal.