A collision between two helicopters near Mount Everest in Nepal left one Indian tourist dead and three people injured, including two pilots. The accident occurred as the helicopters were preparing to land near the Everest Base Camp area during the peak trekking season.

According to officials, the accident happened on Tuesday near Pheriche in Solukhumbu district, close to the Mount Everest region. The helicopters involved belonged to the private companies Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty.

Solukhumbu District Chief Administrative Officer Kaman Singh Thapa Magar said an Indian national was killed in the crash, while the injured people were rescued and taken for medical treatment. The injured included a New Zealand national and pilots from the two helicopter companies.

Fishtail Air said its helicopter was carrying passengers who had been rescued from the Everest region when the accident occurred during landing. The company stated that the aircraft was carrying foreign tourists.

An Air Dynasty official said its helicopter was not carrying passengers and was operating only for cargo transportation at the time of the collision.

The accident took place during Nepal’s busiest trekking period, when helicopters are widely used to transport climbers, trekkers and supplies in the Everest region. Due to the lack of road access in many parts of the Himalayas, helicopters play a crucial role in rescue operations and high-altitude transportation.

Nepal’s aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision.(ILKHA)